“Did I cause my Atrial Fibrillation? Am I responsible for getting A-Fib?”
Most likely not.
We all remember our first attack of A-Fib—the shock, fear, confusion, the sense of something wrong in our body that we can’t control and the rushing to a doctor and/or emergency room.
Often there’s a tendency to blame ourselves, to feel guilt. We ask ourselves “What did I do—or not do—that caused my A-Fib?”
In general we are not responsible and didn’t cause our A-Fib. It’s different from a life-style related condition (like liver failure due to alcohol abuse).
Those newly diagnosed need to think of A-Fib as fate or karma or a life accident—rather than something we bring on ourselves. In life sometimes bad things happen to good people through no fault of their own. Think of A-Fib that way.
We need to keep saying to ourselves, “I am not responsible for my A-Fib. I did not cause my A-Fib,” like a chant or mantra whenever we start feeling guilt or blame for our A-Fib.
Go back to FAQ for the Newly Diagnosed A-Fib Patient
Last updated: Monday, June 18, 2018