AFib & Stroke Connection

At least 2.7 million Americans are living with atrial fibrillation (AFib), and many do not know it. But having an irregular heartbeat – a condition that’s easily treatable – can increase your risk of having a stroke by as much as five times.

“Really anyone is at risk for having atrial fibrillation,” explains Saifullah Siddiqui, MD, interventional cardiologist at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. Thankfully, the condition is almost always treatable. “Getting treatment is important so patients can continue to lead full, healthy lives – free of stroke and stroke risk.”

What Is The Connection Between AFib and Stroke?

Irregular heartbeats can lead to the formation of blood clots. That’s because, in a person with AFib, the upper heart chambers beat irregularly and out of sync with the lower heart chambers.

With this condition, the top chambers of the heart (atria) go into a very fast, irregular rhythm where they are essentially no longer beating, but, instead, are quivering or fibrillating at about 300 to 500 times per minute. This throws off the normal one-to-one communication between top and bottom chambers and slows the blood flow in the atria, causing tiny clots to form.

Over time, this irregular beating can lead to blood pooling in the atria (upper chamber). Pooled blood can lead to blood clots. Those tiny clots could be pumped out of the heart to the brain and block the blood supply, causing a stroke.

Preventing Stroke in AFib Patients

“Stroke is a very catastrophic event that can leave someone incapacitated for the rest of their life,” said Dr. Siddiqui. “This is a risk we take very seriously and work hard to reduce as much as possible for any patient who has AFib.” Learn about the effective treatment options for AFib and stroke offered at Franciscan Health.

Detecting and treating AFib before a stroke occurs could prevent most strokes from happening. It’s important to develop a healthy lifestyle and work with your cardiologist to develop a treatment plan specific to your health needs.

What Are The Risk Factors For AFib Risk?

As you age, the risk of AFib increases. “Patients in their 30s and 40s have less than a one percent chance of having atrial fibrillation,” explained Shivang Shah, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians in Indianapolis. “But by the time a person enters their eighth decade, the chances increase to about 15%.” 

Other health conditions can also increase your risk of developing AFib. These include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Heart failure
• Hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones)
• Lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Prior heart attack

If you consume a large amount of alcohol, have smoked for more than 10 years or have a family history of AFib, you are also at an increased risk for AFib.

“Many risk factors for atrial fibrillation are similar to those common to stress and strain on the heart,” said Dr. Shah. “Because of this, the condition can also develop during serious illness, such as when a person is hospitalized for a bad infection or after surgery." Temporary AFib is known as paroxysmal AFib.

What Are Symptoms Of AFib?

The most common symptom of atrial fibrillation is heart palpitations, which can feel like a fluttering or shuddering sensation in the chest. Many people with AFib can also feel that their heartbeat is irregular, which can feel like the heart is pounding or racing.

Other signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:

• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Feeling tired or weak
• Shortness of breath

Don’t Wait – Get Care Now

Understanding and managing AFib is important to lower your risk of stroke. If AFib is left untreated, it can lead to irregular heart rhythms that can cause blood clots. Factors such as age, underlying health conditions and lifestyle choices play a role in the risk of developing AFib. If you have heart palpitations, chest pain or shortness of breath, talk with your provider immediately or schedule an appointment with a cardiologist. Learn more about AFib.