Treating atrial fibrillation: reducing the risk of stroke
Millions of people suffer from atrial fibrillation. This cardiac arrhythmia While not immediately life-threatening, it increases this over time Risk for heart failure and strokes. What is treacherous is that this arrhythmia affects regarding half of all those affected without symptoms or complaints occurs and as a result unnoticed remain.
Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke to suffer. Of the German Heart Foundation according to this cardiac arrhythmia is responsible for at least 20 percent of all strokes in this country every year. However, it often goes undetected. The foundation makes this clear in a current Message attentive.
Life-threatening danger
According to the experts, around 1.8 million people in Germany suffer from atrial fibrillation, the most common persistent cardiac arrhythmia. This arrhythmia is a serious arrhythmia that sometimes occurs without major symptoms.
“Unnoticed and untreated, atrial fibrillation can become life-threatening and even fatal cardiac insufficiency and become stroke”, explains heart specialist Prof. Dr. medical Thomas Voigtländer, CEO of the German Heart Foundation.
Especially when it first occurs, atrial fibrillation triggers fear and anxiety in many of those affected when they realize that their heart is getting out of rhythm. It is therefore important for patients to know whether this arrhythmia needs to be treated and what treatment options are available.
For this reason, the German Heart Foundation will be providing information on the causes of atrial fibrillation and the current diagnosis and treatment options in its nationwide Heart Weeks 2022 in November under the motto “Turbulence in the heart: atrial fibrillation”.
Often only discovered by accident
In regarding half of those affected, the cardiac arrhythmia causes noticeable symptoms such as heart palpitations and heartbeat to the throat, feeling of pressure in the chestAngst, shortness of breathdizziness and poor performance noticeable.
What is treacherous, however, is that atrial fibrillation occurs in around every second patient without symptoms or complaints and therefore goes unnoticed.
“Atrial fibrillation is therefore often only discovered by chance during a medical examination – sometimes too late, namely only when a stroke or other serious complications have already occurred.”says cardiologist Voigtländer.
“Because the irregular heartbeat can lead to blood clots in the heart, which, carried by the bloodstream to the brain, block a vessel. There is a risk of a stroke.” However, the blood clots can also block other vessels, for example in the kidneys, legs and arms.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor
Known causes of atrial fibrillation are high blood pressure, coronary artery disease (CHD)cardiac insufficiency (cardiac insufficiency), myocardial diseases, heart valve defects, but also hyperthyroidism, Diabeteschronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colloquially “smoker’s cough“ mentioned and clearly overweight.
Atrial fibrillation occurs more frequently in people over 60 years of age and in patients with high blood pressure. Hypertension is present in around 60 percent of all patients with this arrhythmia.
It is therefore important – in addition to the direct treatment of the arrhythmia and the prevention of a stroke – to treat the underlying diseases and to know the risk factors.
Like the heart foundation in one contribution explains, there are various medications available to treat atrial fibrillation, but not in all cases they can stop the arrhythmia. You should clarify which therapy makes sense in a detailed discussion with your cardiologist. (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- German Heart Foundation: Turbulence in the heart: atrial fibrillation, (accessed: April 16, 2022), German Heart Foundation
- German Heart Foundation: Atrial fibrillation can trigger a stroke, (accessed: April 16, 2022), German Heart Foundation
- German Heart Foundation: Treatment of atrial fibrillation: medication does not help everyone, (accessed: April 16, 2022), German Heart Foundation
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
