The risk is real. But fear of stroke doesn’t have to rule your life. Understand the link between atrial fibrillation and stroke, learn about preventing a stroke, and find out what you can do to reduce your stroke risk, below. Show
Risk of Stroke with Atrial FibrillationThe average person with atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is 5 times more likely to suffer a stroke than someone with a regular
heartbeat.1 Here’s why AFib stroke risk is so high: In AFib, the upper heart chambers quiver and shake and do not contract, or squeeze, as they should.2 Because blood isn’t pumped out of the heart normally, it’s easier for blood cells to stick together and form clots in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage.2,3 In people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (also called non-valvular AFib), more than 90% of stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the left atrial appendage.3 When a blood clot escapes from the left atrial appendage and travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke.1,4 WATCHMAN and Stroke RiskThe WATCHMAN Implant is for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners for
stroke risk reduction. Why Choose WATCHMANYou are not alone. Hear from others about their experiences with AFib. How Does Atrial Fibrillation Cause Stroke?To better understand the connection between AFib and stroke risk, it helps to know a little about how your heart works. Your heart has an electrical system that controls the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat. In a healthy heart, the electrical signals produce a steady heartbeat. The heart contracts and pumps blood normally.4 With AFib, the electrical signals are disorganized. Atrial fibrillation happens when the top two chambers of the heart, the atria, beat rapidly and irregularly (fibrillate). AFib affects how well blood pumps through parts of your heart, which in turn affects your stroke risk. But proper treatment can help reduce your risk of stroke.4 Types of StrokeThere are 2 types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that lodges in a blood vessel and cuts off the blood supply to the brain. An ischemic stroke is the type of stroke most associated with the irregular heartbeat of atrial fibrillation.5,6 A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in or around the brain. This can happen when a blood vessel in the area of the brain weakens and breaks. Blood builds and creates pressure on the brain, blocking blood flow.5,6 What Causes a Stroke?Anyone can have a stroke regardless of age, race, or gender. But the chances of having a stroke are higher if you have certain stroke risk factors. Here are some of them5,6:
Stroke Warning SignsSigns of a stroke may include the sudden onset of any of these symptoms5:
A stroke is an emergency situation. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Questions about WATCHMAN?WATCHMAN Educational Specialists are trained professionals with healthcare experience. They're here to help answer your questions. Call 1-855-893-2606 Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM Central Time Find Us on FacebookJoin our community on Facebook to get updates and connect with others like you who are exploring WATCHMAN. Management of StrokeWhen a stroke happens, time is critical. Getting treatment right away can help reduce the effects of a stroke and may even prevent death. The gold standard for treating ischemic stroke (the kind caused by a blood clot) is a solution called tissue plasminogen activator. It’s administered through an IV in the arm, but it must be given within 3 hours of having the stroke.5 The effects of a stroke depend on where the blockage occurs in the brain and how much of the brain is damaged. These effects can include5:
People who suffer a stroke often enter a rehabilitation program. Rehab can help those affected by stroke regain certain functions or learn how to live within their abilities. Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Facts
Reducing Your Risk of Stroke With AFibThe good news is that the risk of stroke can be managed. There are different treatments available to reduce stroke risk if you have atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem (or non-valvular AFib). The most common way is with medications that prevent blood clots from forming and leading to a stroke. These medications, called anticoagulants or blood thinners, work well for many people. 1 But AFib is a lifelong condition and not everyone is able to take blood thinner medications long term.1 For these people, a procedure like WATCHMAN may be an option. WATCHMAN reduces the risk of stroke by closing off the left atrial appendage, where more than 90% of stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed.3 Your doctor will help you choose a treatment to reduce your stroke risk based on your heart’s rhythm, your symptoms, and any other conditions you may have. Preventing a StrokeManagement of stroke risk is a main goal of AFib treatment. But there are a number of other things you can do to help reduce your overall stroke risk.5
You may not be able to change the fact that you have atrial fibrillation, and the risk of stroke that comes with it. But these healthy choices can have a positive effect on other health conditions, like high blood pressure, that further increase your stroke risk.5 Questions to Ask Your DoctorIf you have atrial fibrillation and you’re concerned about your stroke risk, here are some questions to ask your cardiologist:
If you need an alternative to blood thinner medications to reduce your stroke risk due to AFib, find out if the WATCHMAN Implant could be right for you. WATCHMAN is for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners. This website is intended to provide patients and caregivers with some information about the WATCHMAN Implant. It may help prepare you for talking to your doctor about your options for reducing stroke risk. Important Safety Information The WATCHMAN and WATCHMAN FLX Devices are permanent implants designed to close the left atrial appendage in the heart in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke. With all medical procedures there are risks associated with the implant procedure and the use of the device. The risks include but are not limited to accidental heart puncture, air embolism, allergic reaction, anemia, anesthesia risks, arrhythmias, AV (Arteriovenous) fistula, bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, bruising at the catheter insertion site, clot formation on the device, cranial bleed, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, hypotension, infection/pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary vein obstruction, renal failure, stroke, thrombosis and transient ischemic attack. In rare cases death can occur. Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of the device. References
Which type of stroke is associated with atrial fibrillation?An ischemic stroke is the type of stroke most associated with the irregular heartbeat of atrial fibrillation. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in or around the brain. This can happen when a blood vessel in the area of the brain weakens and breaks.
What is the risk of stroke with atrial fibrillation?AF is one of the ten potentially modifiable risk factors associated with acute stroke. [3] The risk of stroke in patients with AF has been estimated as between 1% and 20% annually.
Which of the following is a risk for patients who have atrial fibrillation?A-fib increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly — out of sync with the lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart.
Can atrial fibrillation cause hemorrhagic stroke?Introduction. Hemorrhagic stroke is a life-threatening complication, and may be particularly prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) due to their need for anticoagulation.
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