Atrial fibrillation - or AFib - is a common heart condition that affects the heart's rhythm. Millions of Americans are living with this condition, and many don't even know it. However, it's important to be aware of the risks and symptoms of AFib because it's a major cause of stroke. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 7 strokes are caused by AFib.
What Is The Connection Between AFib And Stroke?
Having AFib greatly increases your chances of having a stroke. That's because in people with AFib, the atria (heart chambers) aren't moving blood properly. This can lead to blood pooling and forming clots. Blood clots can lead to stroke.
If you have AFib, work with your doctor to make sure it's under control. With proper treatment, you can reduce your risk of serious complications such as stroke.
[H2] What Are The Most Effective Treatments For AFib?
AFib is a treatable heart condition. A comprehensive approach to care can successfully help manage AFib. The first line of treatment is controlling the underlying condition causing it, explains Saifullah Siddiqui, MD, interventional cardiologist at Franciscan Health Cardiology Olympia Fields. This often involves developing a plan to address multiple health care needs, including lifestyle changes, medication, and, when necessary, surgery.
Lifestyle Changes To Treat AFib And Reduce Stroke Risk
Lifestyle modifications can help keep your heart healthy and manage your symptoms. Remember that when you live a healthy lifestyle, it positively impacts your heart and AFib symptoms. Dr. Siddiqui offers a few tips to help you get started:
- Maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can strain the heart and worsen your symptoms.
- Get regular exercise to improve your overall heart health and regulate heart rhythms.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins.
- Reduce the amount of salt, added sugar, and processed foods in your diet.
- Limit or avoid alcohol.
Medicine To Treat AFib And Reduce Stroke Risk
Heart specialists often use anticoagulation medications (or blood thinners) to help manage Afib and its underlying cause. Doctors continue to use older medications like warfarin (Coumadin), but there are newer anticoagulation medications that don't require blood draws to monitor the effectiveness of the drug. These drugs reduce the likelihood of experiencing potentially dangerous blood clots within the heart that may cause a stroke.
"A lot of patients will require blood thinners, but every good blood thinner increases the risk for bleeding," said Shivang Shah, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians in Indianapolis. "We have an entire team dedicated to helping patients make sure that their blood is not too thick, not too thin, but just right."
Procedures To Treat AFib And Reduce Stroke Risk
If lifestyle and medications aren't enough to manage AFib, your heart specialist may recommend direct cardioversion. This is a simple, painless, non-invasive procedure. During direct cardioversion, a small amount of electrical energy is delivered to the heart while you are sedated. The goal is to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Ablation is another treatment option cardiac electrophysiologists (heart electrical system specialists) use to restore a normal heart rhythm. During ablation, the specialist uses radiofrequency energy to destroy the faulty electrical pathway in the heart.
Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Implant Device
Franciscan Health providers also offer the left atrial appendage occluder (LAAO) device, a revolutionary new implant to help manage AFib and your risk of developing a stroke. This treatment option may be right if you have a high risk for bleeding and cannot take a blood-thinning medication.
When a blood clot forms within the heart of a person with AFib, the clots almost always form in the part of the heart called the left atrial appendage.
"This area of the heart makes it somewhat easier for blood clots to form there - more so than anywhere else in the heart," explained Dr. Siddiqui.
The LAAO device is an implant that occludes (closes off) that small part of the heart - eliminating the possibility of blood clots forming. The device prevents blood flow from entering this part of the heart, which in turn prevents blood clots from forming there.
"As a result, with the left atrial appendage occluder device, we can help eliminate the risk for stroke with a well-implanted device," explained Dr. Siddiqui.
Compassionate Care, Right Here
Take the next step in protecting your heart from AFib-related stroke. Contact a Franciscan Health heart specialist and learn about effective treatment options for AFib.
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