What can be a potential result of untreated atrial fibrillation?

Untreated atrial fibrillation can lead to several significant complications, one of the most serious being an increased risk of stroke. In atrial fibrillation, the atria of the heart do not contract effectively, which can result in stagnation of blood flow within the heart's upper chambers. This stagnant blood flow can lead to the formation of blood clots. If a clot dislodges, it can travel through the bloodstream and occlude a vessel in the brain, causing a stroke.

The mechanism by which atrial fibrillation leads to stroke is well-documented. The chaotic electrical signals in atrial fibrillation impair the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently, increasing the risk for thrombus formation. When anticoagulation treatments are not utilized to mitigate this risk, patients with atrial fibrillation face a significantly higher probability of experiencing a stroke compared to those without the arrhythmia.

While hypertension, myocardial infarction, and heart failure can also be associated with atrial fibrillation, they are either complications of unchecked cardiovascular conditions or more generalized risks related to multiple cardiac conditions, rather than direct consequences of atrial fibrillation itself.