How Does AFib Cause Heart Failure?
If atrial fibrillation is not treated or controlled well, it may lead to very serious problems such as heart failure. Afib patients always have racing and irregular heartbeats. The ventricles are beating very fast and can’t completely fill with blood. Due to the rapid heart rate, the patient’s heart pumps blood inefficiently for a lengthy period. Atrial fibrillation reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively by about 20% to 25%.
When the heart rate reaches an extremely high number, the heart muscle can’t stand because of the overwhelming stress. Thus, the heart is unable to pump the blood efficiently. And so there is a lack of blood in the lungs and body. When the blood circulation can’t meet the body’s need, heart failure occurs.
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