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What is Atrial Fibrillation and Why Can It Cause Stroke
Atrial Fibrillation is a condition where the heart beats very fast and irregularly. Some patients only experience mild symptoms with atrial fibrillation such as palpitations, breathlessness or light headedness, while others can experience profound symptoms and feel quite unwell with it. 1 in 3 strokes are caused by AF in people over the age of 60 and people with AF have a 3-5 times greater risk of stroke than people without AF.
Stroke Risk Assessment in Afib Patients by a Cardiologist
If you have recently been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, your physician might refer you to a Cardiologist where you will be assessed for stroke risk. One of the ways a Cardiologist assesses stroke risk is by using a guideline called the CHADS score. This takes a number of factors into consideration in order to ensure the patient is put on the right treatment for stroke prevention.
Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Prevention
Atrial Fibrillation is a condition where the top two chambers of the heart called the atria beat fast and irregularly. When this occurs, blood can pool in the atria causing blood clots. These blood clots can break off and travel to various parts of the body including the brain, causing a stroke. In order to prevent stroke in patients they need to be assessed by a qualified practitioner and in many cases anticoagulants are prescribed.
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