Overview
Hereditary atrial fibrillation (also called familial atrial fibrillation or hereditary AF) is an inherited heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat in a fast, chaotic, and irregular way. Unlike the more common forms of atrial fibrillation that develop due to aging or other heart conditions, hereditary atrial fibrillation is caused by changes (mutations) in genes that control how electrical signals travel through the heart. These gene changes can be passed down through families. When the heart beats irregularly, it cannot pump blood as efficiently as it should. This can cause symptoms like a racing or fluttering heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. One of the most serious risks is that blood can pool in the heart and form clots, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Treatment focuses on controlling the heart rate and rhythm, preventing blood clots, and reducing stroke risk. Doctors may use medications, electrical cardioversion (a procedure to reset the heart rhythm), or catheter ablation (a minimally invasive procedure to destroy the tissue causing abnormal signals). While there is no cure, many people with hereditary atrial fibrillation can live full lives with proper medical management and monitoring.
Key symptoms:
Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)Fluttering or pounding sensation in the chestShortness of breath, especially during activityFatigue or feeling unusually tiredDizziness or lightheadednessFainting or near-fainting spellsChest discomfort or pressureReduced ability to exerciseSwelling in the legs or anklesAnxiety related to heart symptoms
Clinical phenotype terms (11)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsYonsei University — NA
London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's — NA
ICE Intelligent Healthcare Co., Ltd — NA
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris — PHASE3
University Hospital, Brest
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — PHASE3
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
2 availableSo-Aqueous
maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients with history of highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation/flutter
XARELTO
to reduce risk of stroke and systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersMassachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, Massachusetts
👤 Matthew Frigault, MD
👤 Janssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial
Stanford University
📍 Palo Alto, California
👤 Richard Neibeger, MD
Emory University
📍 Atlanta, Georgia
Indiana University
📍 Indianapolis, Indiana
University of Southern California
📍 Los Angeles, California
Harvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Hereditary atrial fibrillation.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which gene mutation do I have, and how does it affect my specific treatment options?,What is my personal risk of stroke, and which blood thinner is best for me?,Should my children or siblings be tested for this condition?,Is catheter ablation a good option for me, and what are the chances it will work long-term?,Are there any activities, foods, or medications I should avoid?,How often do I need follow-up appointments and heart monitoring?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?
Common questions about Hereditary atrial fibrillation
What is Hereditary atrial fibrillation?
Hereditary atrial fibrillation (also called familial atrial fibrillation or hereditary AF) is an inherited heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat in a fast, chaotic, and irregular way. Unlike the more common forms of atrial fibrillation that develop due to aging or other heart conditions, hereditary atrial fibrillation is caused by changes (mutations) in genes that control how electrical signals travel through the heart. These gene changes can be passed down through families. When the heart beats irregularly, it cannot pump blood as efficiently as it shou
Are there clinical trials for Hereditary atrial fibrillation?
Yes — 4 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Hereditary atrial fibrillation on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Hereditary atrial fibrillation?
25 specialists and care centers treating Hereditary atrial fibrillation are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.