Stroke prevention and atrial fibrillation
Common Questions and Answers about Stroke prevention and atrial fibrillation
stroke
Alcohol use could predispose to ischemic stroke, and intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage via multiple mechanisms (for example via hypertension, atrial fibrillation, rebound thrombocytosis and platelet aggregation and clotting disturbances). The drugs most commonly associated with stroke are cocaine, amphetamines causing hemorrhagic stroke, but also over-the-counter cough and cold drugs containing sympathomimetics.
The best treatment would be to correct the A-fib with digoxin or another specific anti-dysrrythmic or a pacemaker, but if this is not possible, prevention of blood clots is essential because, even a tiny one can cause a pulmonary embolism (clot in the lung) or a stroke. In atrial fibrillation the top chambers of the heart just quiver, while the bottom chambers (ventricles) keep beating, but in an irregular manner.
I have a long history of occassional palpitations (PACs), which have become more frequent and occur most days in recent months, also with occasional episodes of atrial fibrillation. My EKG is normal. My recent annual echo shows, for the first time, a finding of mild to moderate anteroseptal and mild mid-anterior hypokinesis. EF is 72%, other measures are within normal, except mild LAE (4.1 cm) and mild MR, TR, PR regurgitation.
Eliquis which belongs to a class of drugs called Factor Xa inhibitors is a new generation oral anticoagulant / blood thinning drug and is expected to replace warfarin the current gold standard treatment for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
The clinical data on Eliquis in atrial fibrillation is most impressive, when compared to Xarelto or Pradaxa.
Aspirin or coumadin are for clots, (Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy), the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommended coumadin for atrial fibrillation patients at high risk of stroke, aspirin for patients at low risk of stroke, and either drug of patients with an intermediate risk. The ACCP defines a low-risk patient as younger than 65 years with no predisposing risk factors (e.g., previous stroke, TIA, embolism, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes).
i have atrial fibrillation and am on heart pressure and heart pills. i also take prozac. i would like to know whether
hawthorne berry treatment which i am about to start taking for the atrial fibrillation would have any ill affects mixed
with prozac. i have already researched that hawthorne berry tincture has no bad interactions with any heart
medicine treatments. would i still have to take baby aspring each day if I am on the hawthorne berry treatment.
Atrial fibrillation alone does not usually cause swelling in the hands, feet, and abdomen. The question you need to ask the doctor is does he have heart failure and if he doesn't what is causing the swelling. Without knowing the results of his echo or blood tests, I can't tell you if he has heart failure.
Anxiety can is caused by atrial fibrillation and sometimes people that are anxious at baseline become more anxious with atrial fibrillation.
Without any of the above risk factors, the patient is considered to have “Lone” atrial fibrillation and daily 325mg aspirin is sufficient. Other medical conditions like a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or other bleeding risk can affect whether or not Coumadin is recommended for you. The decision to treat with Coumadin is sometimes difficult and requires that your doctor carefully weigh the benefits of preventing a disabling stroke against the risk of bleeding.
re having some trouble with your atrial fibrillation. If you have intermittent atrial fibrillation and your heart rate and blood pressure are normal, you don't need to rush to the ED. The '48 hours' people discuss is the window period that is often used to determine whether a patient can safely be "cardioverted" or knocked into a normal rhythm, either with drugs or with an electric shock.
probably medication is the go for you. my mother has atrial fibrillation and she takes atenol and it works excellent. doesn't control the rhythm, but controls the speed and her high blood pressure well.
I have been prescribed and current taking Diltiazem. I have seen a cardiologist had EKG and all he did was tell me to continue the med. When I asked him if I will have future attacks he said because of my age it is likely.
Is there a treatment that will prevent these attacks from happening again because everything I read indicates strokes follow these attacks? I am not on any blood thinners unless the Diltiazem is one.
//www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/treatment-and-prevention-of-atrial-fibrillation/prevention-strategies-for-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af Lifestyle choices can ultimately make a huge difference. Sounds great that you do not smoke or drink. How about caffeine? Limiting that is also recommended. How is your weight and how much physical activity do you get? These are also on the list as key ingredients to prevention.
There is currently no data whatsoever, showing benefit of plavix in stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. The two current standards of care are aspirin and coumadin...with the later being undoubtably more effective in patients that can tolerae it. Alot of people have peripheral neuropathy and do perfectly well without falls. I usually prefer coumadin unless there is a definite risk. Any regimen that would attempt to use plavix, should at least include aspirin sine it is proven.
Treatment can be blood thinners (anticoagulation) to avoid the forming of clots while the fibrillation still exists, and/or treatment to get rid of the fibrillation (catheter ablation) , and/or diet and lifestyle changes to suppress the fibrillations.
My mother (62) had the same heart problems and died about a year ago of a stroke (they think caused by her Atrial Fibrillation). Her stroke was so massive the hospital had never seen one that bad. I'm 42 and due to breaking my back in the Navy years ago have had a very sedintary lifestyle and had smoked for about 20 years, recently quit. What should I say to my doc to make him take me seriously?
I am 28 years old and otherwise a healthy individual. Last April I woke up one day with what I believe to have been atrial fibrillation, but by the time the EMT's arrived, I had converted. The doctor's at the hospital told me not to sweat it. I then had about two more episodes of atrial fibrillation after binge drinking the night before, but converted on my own. I did not think there was much of a problem until about a month and a half ago when I started to get PVC's every night.
As far as I can tell, your husband is a healthy 49 year old with occasional short runs of atrial fib - what we call paroxysmal + lone atrial fibrillation. Usually there is very low risk of cardiovascular risk such as a stroke in this population; however, it should not be completely ignored.
I recommend at least an echocardiogram to confrim heart muscle and valve function (if not already done), AND a holter monitor to confirm his "afib burden", ie.
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