Risk of Stroke: Atrial Fibrillation
Oct 12th, 2011 Ed Koeneman
Individuals of all age, race and gender are at risk of stroke. However, the odds of an individual suffering a stroke increase if that individual has certain risk factors for stroke, or criteria that commonly cause strokes. According to the National Stroke Association, up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented and the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from suffering a stroke is to understand the factors that add to your personal risk of stroke and how to manage them.
Controllable risk factors for stroke commonly fall into one of two categories: medical risk factors and lifestyle risk factors. Medically-based risk of stroke can commonly be treated and lifestyle-based risk of stroke can often be changed. Both can be managed best by consulting a doctor or physician, who can advise on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle and can prescribe medication to address medical issues. This article will focus specifically on atrial fibrillation, which is a controllable risk factor for stroke.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is caused when the two upper chambers of the atria or heart beat unpredictably and rapidly, producing an irregular heartbeat. AF increases risk of stroke because it causes blood to pool in the heart. When blood pools, it commonly forms clots, which can be carried to all parts of the body including the brain, causing a stroke. AF can also lead to heart failure. According to the National Stroke Association, roughly 15 percent of all individuals who suffer a stroke have AF, and AF makes a person five times more likely to suffer a stroke.
Who is Most Likely to Have Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation can occur at any age but is most common at older ages. Roughly five percent of individuals 65 years and older suffer from AF and it is more common in individuals with heart disease, high blood pressure and lung disease.
What are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial Fibrillation often has no visible symptoms. Some individuals who suffer from AF describe fluttering, pounding or racing in their chests. Other individuals who suffer from AF only experience dizziness, light-headedness or fainting during an episode. Individuals with these symptoms should consult a doctor immediately and be evaluated for AF.
Treating Atrial Fibrillation
A doctor's goal when treating atrial fibrillation is to restore the regular rhythm of the patient's heart and reduce the patient's risk of stroke and other complications. This is often done with the use of electrical stimulation or medication. If these efforts are unsuccessful, treatment of the atrial fibrillation condition can concentrate on protecting the patient from blood clots that may travel from the patient's heart to the brain, ultimately causing a stroke.
To reduce a patient's risk of suffering a stroke, a doctor can prescribe medications, which thin the blood, reducing the potential for clotting and greatly reducing stroke risk when taken properly. According to the National Stroke Association, most AF-related strokes could be prevented with this medicine but up to 67 percent of AF patients who suffered a stroke were not prescribed this medication.About the Author:
Ed Koeneman is COO and co-founder of Kinetic Muscles (KMI). KMI is a leading provider of products for stroke recovery. For more information about The Hand Mentor(TM), The Foot Mentor (TM) or about risk of stroke, visit our website.
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