@A MySpondylitisTeam Member: Yes, My phone/watch recorded 4 afib events a few months ago. I have had a cardiac evaluation done. don’t know all the results yet. But to answer your question, I would say YEs!
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A MySpond...
6 days ago
Two AFib episodes in two months is definitely something to take seriously, and it's completely understandable to wonder if there's a connection to spondylitis.
There is a recognized link between AS and heart complications. Chronic inflammation from AS can affect the heart in several ways, including causing conduction Show Full Answer
Two AFib episodes in two months is definitely something to take seriously, and it's completely understandable to wonder if there's a connection to spondylitis.
There is a recognized link between AS and heart complications. Chronic inflammation from AS can affect the heart in several ways, including causing conduction disorders — which are abnormalities in the heart's electrical signals that can lead to irregular heartbeats like AFib. Here are some heart-related complications associated with AS to be aware:
- Aortitis – inflammation of the body's main artery
- Valvular disease – problems with the aortic valve affecting blood flow
- Conduction disorders (arrhythmias) – irregular, too fast, or too slow heartbeats
- Cardiomyopathy – changes to the heart muscle that reduce its pumping ability
- Ischemic heart disease – reduced blood flow to the heart
It's also worth noting that long-term use of NSAIDs, commonly used to manage AS symptoms, may also increase heart risk.
One MySpondylitisTeam member shared that after 20 years with AS, they needed a 24-hour heart monitor fitted to investigate new heart symptoms — so you're not alone in navigating this.
It's really important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible about these episodes. Asking for a referral to a cardiologist and discussing whether an echocardiogram is appropriate would be a great next step.
October 13
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