Heart Damage

Could you tell me if staying in A-Fib and flutter indefinately causes damage to the heart and also I have heard that the anti-arrythmic drugs such as rythmol and tambocor are like a poison to the heart if taken on a long term basis, is this true?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

If the heart rate is not controlled there can be damage to the heart over the long term.  However, if the heart rate is controlled the general consensus is that this is OK.  All drugs have good effects and potential side-effects, rhythmol and tambocor included.  The key to being a good doctor is knowing when the good effects of the drug outweigh the bad effects for a given individual.