How to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation Related Stroke

Atrial fibrillation is a common type of irregular or rapid heartbeat (arrhythmia) that greatly increases your risk for a stroke. In atrial fibrillation, the top portions of the heart (atria) beat out of sync with the lower portions of the heart. When the muscles of the atria are tightening in an uncoordinated way (fibrillating), blood can pool in the heart and form clots. If a clot travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. This type of stroke is preventable. Understanding atrial fibrillation and knowing how to properly manage it can prevent you from having a stroke.

What increases my risk for a stroke?

If you have atrial fibrillation, you may be at increased risk for a stroke if you also:

• Have heart failure.
• Have high blood pressure.
• Are older than age 65.
• Have diabetes.
• Have a history of vascular disease, such as heart attack or stroke.
• Are female.

If you have atrial fibrillation and you also have one or more of those risk factors, talk with your health care provider about treatments that can prevent a stroke.

Other risk factors for a stroke include:

• Smoking.
• High cholesterol.
• Diabetes.
• Being inactive (sedentary lifestyle).
• Having a family history of stroke.
• Eating a diet that is high in fat, cholesterol, and salt.

What treatments help to manage atrial fibrillation?

The main goals of treatment for atrial fibrillation are to prevent blood clots from forming and to keep your heart beating at a normal rate and rhythm. Treatment may include:

• Blood-thinning medicine (anticoagulant) that helps to prevent clots from forming. This medicine also increases the risk of bleeding. Talk with your health care provider about the risks and benefits of taking anticoagulants.
• Medicine that slows the heart rate or brings the heart rhythm back to normal.
• Electrical cardioversion. This is a procedure that resets the heart’s rhythm by delivering a controlled, low-energy shock through your skin to your heart.
• An ablation procedure, such as catheter ablation, catheter ablation with pacemaker, or surgical ablation. These procedures destroy the heart tissues that send abnormal signals so that heart rhythms can be improved or made normal. A pacemaker is a device that is placed under the skin to help the heart beat in a regular rhythm.

How can I prevent atrial fibrillation-related stroke?

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If your health care provider prescribed an anticoagulant, take it exactly as told. Taking too much blood-thinning medicine can cause bleeding. If you do not take enough blood-thinning medicine, you will not have the protection that you need against stroke and other problems.

Eating and drinking

• Eat healthy foods, including at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not drink beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, soda, and tea.
• Follow dietary instructions as told by your health care provider.

Managing other medical conditions

• Manage and be aware of your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, follow your treatment plan to keep it in your target range.
• Have your cholesterol checked as often as recommended by your health care provider. If you have high cholesterol, follow your treatment plan to lower it and keep it in your target range.
• Talk with your health care provider about symptoms to watch for. Some people may not have any symptoms, so it can be hard to know that they have atrial fibrillation. Talk with your health care provider if you experience:
  • A feeling that your heart is beating rapidly or irregularly.
  • An irregular pulse.
  • A feeling of discomfort or pain in your chest.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Sudden light-headedness or weakness.
  • Tiredness (fatigue) that happens easily during exercise.
• If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), manage your condition as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

• Maintain a healthy weight. Do not use diet pills unless your health care provider approves. Diet pills may make heart problems worse.
• Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of activity on most or all days, or as told by your health care provider.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Do not use drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care providers. This is important. These include visits with your heart specialist.

Where to find more information

You may find more information about preventing atrial fibrillation-related stroke from:

• National Stroke Association (AFib-Stroke Connection): www.stroke.org  

Contact a health care provider if:

• You notice a change in the rate, rhythm, or strength of your heartbeat.
• You have dizziness.
• You are taking an anticoagulant and you have more bruises than usual.
• You tire out more easily when you exercise or do similar activities.

Get help right away if:

• You have chest pain.
• You have pain in your abdomen.
• You experience unusual sweating or weakness.
• You take anticoagulants and you:
  • Have severe headaches or confusion.
  • Have blood in your vomit, bowel movement, or urine.
  • Have bleeding that will not stop.
  • Fall or injure your head.
• You have any symptoms of a stroke. “BE FAST” is an easy way to remember the main warning signs of a stroke:
  • B – Balance. Signs are dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance.
  • E – Eyes. Signs are trouble seeing or a sudden change in vision.
  • F – Face. Signs are sudden weakness or numbness of the face, or the face or eyelid drooping on one side.
  • A – Arms. Signs are weakness or numbness in an arm. This happens suddenly and usually on one side of the body.
  • S – Speech. Signs are sudden trouble speaking, slurred speech, or trouble understanding what people say.
  • T – Time. Time to call emergency services. Write down what time symptoms started.
• You have other signs of a stroke, such as:
  • A sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Seizure.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

• Having atrial fibrillation increases the risk for a stroke. Talk with your health care provider about what symptoms to watch for.
• Atrial fibrillation-related stroke is preventable. Proper management of atrial fibrillation can prevent you from having a stroke.
• Talk with your health care provider about whether anticoagulant medicine is right for you.
• Learn the warning signs of a stroke and remember “BE FAST.”