Life is full of cause and effect. Smoking cigarettes can lead to lung cancer. Neglecting to brush your teeth may result in cavities. Overeating causes weight gain.
Many medical cause-and-effect relationships can be complicated as medical conditions can stem from various sources but, in some cases, the connection is clear. The link between stroke and atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a shining example of two seemingly unrelated conditions that share an undeniable bond.
Once you learn more about each condition, the connection between them as well as prevention ideas are evident.
STROKE
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke, a debilitating event in which blood flow to the brain is abruptly interrupted.
This brain attack results in the death of brain cells because of a lack of oxygen, often killing victims or leaving them severely disabled. In fact, the American Stroke Association reports that more than 130,000 people die from stroke in the United States each year.
There are two main types of strokes hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic stroke takes place when a blood vessel leaks or ruptures. The more common ischemic stroke occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked or narrowed by a blood clot.
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Afib is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm in the country, with more than 2 million Americans affected.
Those who battle this heart disease suffer from a rapid and disorganized heartbeat that occurs in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). During an Afib episode, the atria may beat between 350 and 600 times per minute, compared to the normal 50 to 100 beats per minute, making that segment of the heart appear to flutter or quiver.
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The Doctors Are In: Clear link between stroke and atrial fibrillation