Understand The AFib & Stroke Connection

Roughly 10.5 million Americans — about 1 in 20 U.S. adults — live with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart condition marked by an irregular, rapid heart rhythm. AFib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat irregularly.

For some people, atrial fibrillation symptoms may include heart palpitations, fatigue, chest pain or shortness of breath. For others, the condition causes no symptoms at all. As a result, many people may have AFib and don’t realize it.

While AFib is highly treatable, untreated AFib can lead to serious complications, like stroke. In fact, adults with untreated AFib are five times more likely than those without the condition to suffer a stroke. The CDC estimates that complications of AFib cause roughly 1 in 7 strokes.

To reduce atrial fibrillation stroke risk, you should work with a provider to screen for and treat AFib. Thankfully, the condition is almost always treatable.

“Really, anyone is at risk for having atrial fibrillation,” explained Saifullah Siddiqui, MD, interventional cardiologist at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. “It is important to get treatment so patients can continue to lead full, healthy lives — free of stroke and stroke risk.”

Key Takeaways: How To Prevent Stroke With AFib

• Having atrial fibrillation (AFib) can lead to a five-fold increase in the risk of stroke.  
• AFib patients can reduce their stroke risk by seeking prompt treatment.
• AFib treatment can include lifestyle modifications, medications and, in some cases, surgical or procedural interventions.

How Atrial Fibrillation Increases Stroke Risk

Stroke is one of the most serious complications caused by AFib. Irregular heartbeats can lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart. If these clots move out of the heart to the brain, they can block the blood supply and cause a stroke.

According to the CDC, strokes caused by complications of AFib tend to be more severe than strokes caused by other factors.

“Stroke is a very catastrophic event that can leave someone incapacitated for the rest of their life,” said Dr. Siddiqui. “For patients with AFib, it’s essential that we prioritize stroke prevention as much as possible.”

What Are The Risk Factors for AFib?

As you age, the risk of developing AFib increases. “Patients in their 30s and 40s have less than a 1 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 percent.” 

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

AFib may also develop from a lack of physical activity, or conversely, from years of extreme, high-intensity exercise training.

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

• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones)
• Lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Previous illness, including sepsis or severe COVID-19
• Prior heart attack
• Surgery recovery

“The primary risk factors for atrial fibrillation align with key health factors commonly recognized to cause stress and strain on the heart,” said Dr. Shah.

AFib Treatment Options

AFib stroke prevention centers on treating AFib promptly. When we detect and treat AFib, we can prevent most strokes.

Your physician can diagnose AFib by using an electrocardiogram, a test that creates a graph of your heart’s electrical signals. The results can show if you have AFib or other heart arrhythmias, the medical term for an irregular heartbeat.

To prevent AFib from worsening, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes, including:

• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol
• Get adequate exercise
• Maintain an ideal weight

Additionally, you might receive prescriptions for medications to help control your heart rate and heart rhythm or to reduce the chance of blood clot formation.

If you need support beyond medication, we may recommend minimally invasive treatments, such as cardioversion, a therapy to reset your heart rhythm. Some patients may also benefit from cardiac ablation. Through this procedure, a surgeon can stop the electrical impulses that cause irregular heart rhythms by strategically creating scar tissue on the heart.

With proper treatment, most people with AFib can enjoy a long and active life.

Don’t Wait — Get Care Now

You can lower your risk of stroke when you understand and manage your AFib. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or a cardiologist to screen for AFib today.