Family history of a-fib. Hereditary? (defibrillator, surgery, doctor, heart rate)

[rabbitsong]

My father had a heart attack at 44, two separate bypass operations and ended up with an internal defibrillator. He had a-fib, thereby increasing his risk of stroke. In 2010, at the age of 73, he succumbed to a hemorrhagic stroke. To look at him, you would have never known that he had anything wrong with him. He was a healthy weight, ate a healthy diet and walked every day. He also had T2 Diabetes.

My mother has been healthy all of her life. She was only in the hospital to deliver her babies. She was diagnosed with CLL - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 20 years ago, but has never needed any treatment for it. A month ago, she fell/fainted and hit her head. A CT showed a "significant bleed" on her brain, but nothing else. No broken bones, thank goodness. We believe that she fainted due to dehydration. She just doesn't drink enough, and she eats like a bird. While she was in the hospital, the monitors picked up a-fib. Now that everything else has settled down, it is thought that the a-fib is what caused her to faint. As one of our friends said, "that fall may have saved her life".

So.... now we have a-fib in both parents. Are my sister and I at increased risk?

I already have a rapid heart rate and some flutters, but I've been checked by a cardiologist (the same one as my parents) and have been declared "fine". I just have a fast heart rate. I was almost turned away from surgery because of it last year. I'm facing a 2nd surgery next month, and I'm more worried now than before. Is there a higher risk for me?

[Pikantari]

I think it may be possible.

Familial atrial fibrillation - Genetics Home Reference

I worry about the same thing. My father had heart issues. A few heart attacks and bypass surgeries. My sister has already had to have a stent placed and I have had some issues.

My father also had high cholesterol and so do I, which I have not been able to treat with eating healthy.

[AADAD]

You may want to seek a 2nd opinion. It does not hurt to have another expert weigh in on your concerns. I think that wearing a monitor to capture the rhythms you may have would be a prudent next step. People get anxious when they don't have information. You can solve that by talking openly with your doctors. Don't let them dismiss your questions. Answers will lessen your worry and perhaps give you options. There are some outstanding medical centers near you I think, no?

[rabbitsong]

Thanks!

My mother saw the cardiologist today and he said that it is NOT a-fib. Turns out to be PVCs. It's nothing to sneeze at, but at least we have an answer. She'll be having a nuclear stress test next week and will wear a monitor for 48 hours.