How long can I live after first encountered of afib?

I can understand your concern.  Maybe I can help a little here.  While I am an RN, I am no specialist in cardiology.  My experience has been my own.  You are young and that is in your favor by a long shot.  You are very much in control at this point.  Therefore, as you take more control, you can move out of the fear and depressed feelings.  I don't know what caused the afib...it just happened.  I would first encourage you discuss med changes first with your doctor.  Then do what you can to lead as healthy a life style as possible...not saying you aren't already.  Sometimes, I think we can read too much medical stuff and really scare ourselves...good to be informed, but find a cardiologist you feel comfortable with and trust he or she will keep you safe.  Be aware of your blood chemistries...such as cholesterol and triglycerides...those, you can control with healthy diet.  When mine are high, I go vegetarian.  I try to get a balance of exercise and still need to work harder at resting better.  I tend to be very active.  I am going back to TM or transcendental Meditation but I think any form of meditation is a good thing to bring equilibrium.  If you have a BP cuff, check every once in a while...maybe even record it but put it away too so you don't get too dependent on it.  My guess is, you will not experience this again or that it was a little red flag...but at this point just a little red flag...a warning to check up on things you can maybe change or tweek a little in your life and go on with a good and healthy and fruitful life.  You are young, the world is your oyster and you are very much in control.  Enjoy.  You will be well.

You seem to have done everything right. I have had afib on and off for 60 years since I was 19 and am now 79 and now I do not worry about it as much as when I was younger. I mainly consider it an aggregation now. I too am taking metoprolol tart 100mg plus Digoxin.125mg. I still have maybe 4 or 5 episodes a month .Sometimes lasts 30 min up to 3 to 4 hours. I remember it going all night once while sleeping 40 years ago. I always thought mine was related to anxiety although I have always had what they call an electrical heart block on my ekg. Now I take two aspirin and Lorazepam 1mg when I get an episode. Haven't been to a cardiologist in over 20 years. Did a tandem sky dive at age 76 no problem with that but usually get them while waking up or sitting in a lazy boy type chair to long. It feels like I need to burp and then my heart takes off into afib. But then even burping doesn't seem to help until it runs it's course. It's strange stuff but I wish you well and think you will have a good long life but I know when I younger it caused a lot of anxiety and fear that at any time this could be the end.

I feel anxiou and depressed too, having been diagnosed earlier this year. I am 66 and have always had a good heart. Cardiologist says I have a leaky valve, probablycaused by a strep infection. I am taking Warfarin and Bisoprolol.  I am due to fly to Florida next weekend ( from the UK ) - I am terrified of flying ! - The Bisoprolol had brought my blood pressure down but it has gone up the last two weeks and I think that is caused by my anxiety. However, I AM going to go to Floida because my family are banking on it. I hope to get home feeling pleased with myself, with a sense of achievement ! I say this to encourage you to continue with your plans - let's have a deal here !  Another thing I would say is - you must take Warfarin. A.fib itself doesn't kill, but the clots that can form because of it DO kill. I have read so much online this summer and most of it makes me depressed, but every now and then I read something positive and I try to concentrate on that. Someone said " when you are having a rough patch, remember if will pass, and then during your good spells, get on with life. " I actually have a letter I wrote to myself reminding myself of how the a.fib feels at different times, and wrote at the end not to forget that there are good spells ! I hope you get onto an 'even keel ' soon. I think it's a lot about coming to terms with the diagnosis - it comes as a shock; but there are worse things to have that will definitely kill and from which there is no respite, so we are luckier than a lot of people !

Hi li29885

I was born with a CHD called TOF(Tetralogy of Fallot) and I have had AFIB since I was 23 years old.

The first few years were very tough and I struggeled with panic and anxiety attacks. I thought I was going to die any moment!

I am 46 and even AFIB free for the past 3 years.

There is hope! And you can live a full life.

Educate yourself, ask many questions, not only from doctors and do take note of your thought life. 

I have read about people who are 80 years + who live with AFIB.

Take control of the things you can control(eating, exercising, your thoughts, the procedures you can undergo like cardioversion or ablation and medication), and don't worry too much about the things you cannot control.

You can have a full and long life with AFIB.

Thanks for all your replies and encouragement. Since the original post, I had another two episodes. One lasted for 8 hours and I was panic and went to ER, they are about to cardioversion me, but just the second before they sedated me, my heart converted on its own. Then two weeks later, I had the 3rd episode. I didn't go to ER this time but took a pill of propranolol and lorazepam then tried to relax, it lasted for about 30 minutes. I know I handled it well at the 3rd episode, but the continuous anxious still driving me crazy, I can't pull it out from my head for a second. Night time is very rough, no matter how early or late I sleep, once I wake up I can't go back to sleep anymore, be it 2am, 3am or 4am. I only have about 3 to 4 hours sleep each day. Suffering.

I hope that you are doing better..  Heart issues can be frightening at first.  I have had these issues for many years.  I also have had the good fortune to live in an area where I receive fine health care.  My suggestion would be to find a cardiologist whom you can trust.  I shy away from dramatic doctors...the ones who are less optimistic.  My physicians have had good reviews and excellent experience.  I check all that out before seeing them.  Once on a good regimen  and guidance I trust In them and in my own body to do all that is needed to give me a quality of life.  Enjoy every moment that you can and think less on symptoms.  Generally, these symptoms come and go and right themselves.  Our bodies are stronger than we think. and if we have had a good workup and know where we stand then know we are fine.  Worrying can be the main interference in life than any condition can .If the heart beats irregular...it just does and chances are it's not going to kill you. Just be aware of severe pain or problems breathing...the symptoms you need to know for heart attack...if they are not present...take a few breathes and continue on with glorious life and enjoy.  Let the doctor take the lead in the areas of concern and you just be filled with the life you have.  I mean less googleing of meds and signs and symptoms because in the doing of that, one may actually be reducing their quality of life in creating an world of fear that is consuming.  No body is perfect...all bodies have defects and should not alarm us.  Our minds, personalities, spirit are what is great about us.  I wish you well.  I wish you freedom from worry and for the happiness you deserve...reach for it and it alone.