In AFib, the heart’s rate and rhythm will become irregular. Although serious, AFib is not typically an immediately life-threatening event. In VFib, the heart will no longer pump blood. VFib is a medical emergency that will lead to death if not treated promptly.
Atria and ventricles
What are the atria and ventricles?
The heart is one large organ comprised of four chambers. The parts
of the heart where the fibrillation occurs determine the condition’s
name. Atrial fibrillation occurs in the heart’s upper two chambers, also known as the atria. Ventricular fibrillation occurs in the heart’s lower two chambers, known as the ventricles.
If an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) occurs in the atria, the word “atrial” will precede the type of arrhythmia. If an arrhythmia occurs in the ventricles, the word “ventricular” will precede the type of arrhythmia.
Though they have similar names and both occur in the heart, AFib and VFib affect the body in different ways. Learn more in the following sections about how each condition affects the heart.
If an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) occurs in the atria, the word “atrial” will precede the type of arrhythmia. If an arrhythmia occurs in the ventricles, the word “ventricular” will precede the type of arrhythmia.
Though they have similar names and both occur in the heart, AFib and VFib affect the body in different ways. Learn more in the following sections about how each condition affects the heart.
How does AFib affect the body?
In a healthy heart, blood is pumped from the upper chamber into
the lower chamber (or from the atria into the ventricles) in a single
heartbeat. During that same beat, the blood is pumped from the
ventricles into the body. However, when AFib affects a heart, the upper
chambers no longer pump the blood into the lower chambers and it has to
flow passively. With AFib, blood in the atria may not completely empty.
AFib is typically not life-threatening. However, it’s a serious medical condition that can lead to life-threatening complications if it goes untreated. The most serious complications are stroke, heart attack, and blockage of blood vessels leading to organs or limbs. When blood doesn’t completely empty from the atria, it can begin to pool. Pooled blood can clot, and these clots are what cause strokes and limb or organ damage when they’re ejected from the ventricles into the circulation.
AFib is typically not life-threatening. However, it’s a serious medical condition that can lead to life-threatening complications if it goes untreated. The most serious complications are stroke, heart attack, and blockage of blood vessels leading to organs or limbs. When blood doesn’t completely empty from the atria, it can begin to pool. Pooled blood can clot, and these clots are what cause strokes and limb or organ damage when they’re ejected from the ventricles into the circulation.
How does VFib affect the body?
Ventricular fibrillation is disorderly and irregular electrical
activity in the heart’s ventricles. The ventricles, in turn, do not
contract and pump blood out of the heart into the body.
VFib is an emergency situation. If you develop VFib, your body will not receive the blood it needs because your heart is no longer pumping. Untreated VFib results in sudden death.
The only way to correct a heart that is experiencing VFib is to give it an electrical shock with a defibrillator. If the shock is administered in time, a defibrillator can revert the heart back to a normal, healthy rhythm.
If you have had VFib more than once or if you have a heart condition that puts you at high risk for developing VFib, your doctor may suggest you get an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is implanted in your chest wall and has electrical leads that connected to your heart. From there, it constantly monitors your heart’s electrical activities. If it detects an irregular heart rate or rhythm, it sends out a quick shock in order to return the heart to a normal pattern.
Not treating VFib is not an option. A Swedish study from 2000 reported the overall one month survival rate for patients with VFib that occurred outside of a hospital to be 9.5 percent. The survival range was between 50 percent with immediate treatment to 5 percent with a delay of 15 minutes. If not treated properly and immediately, people who survive VFib may suffer long-term damage or even enter a coma.
VFib is an emergency situation. If you develop VFib, your body will not receive the blood it needs because your heart is no longer pumping. Untreated VFib results in sudden death.
The only way to correct a heart that is experiencing VFib is to give it an electrical shock with a defibrillator. If the shock is administered in time, a defibrillator can revert the heart back to a normal, healthy rhythm.
If you have had VFib more than once or if you have a heart condition that puts you at high risk for developing VFib, your doctor may suggest you get an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is implanted in your chest wall and has electrical leads that connected to your heart. From there, it constantly monitors your heart’s electrical activities. If it detects an irregular heart rate or rhythm, it sends out a quick shock in order to return the heart to a normal pattern.
Not treating VFib is not an option. A Swedish study from 2000 reported the overall one month survival rate for patients with VFib that occurred outside of a hospital to be 9.5 percent. The survival range was between 50 percent with immediate treatment to 5 percent with a delay of 15 minutes. If not treated properly and immediately, people who survive VFib may suffer long-term damage or even enter a coma.
Preventing AFib and VFib
If you’ve been diagnosed with either AFib or VFib, work closely with your doctor to develop a treatment and lifestyle program that addresses your risk factors, history of arrhythmia, and health history. Together, you can treat both of these conditions before they become deadly
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