1 week ago

Silent AFib Can Raise Stroke Risk Fivefold, Doctors Warn

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a problem with the heart’s rhythm.

The upper parts of the heart do not squeeze normally.

Some people feel tired, dizzy, breathless or notice a racing heartbeat.

Others feel almost nothing and may not know they have it.

AFib can make a stroke about five times more likely.

Doctors can look for it with an ECG or longer heart monitoring.

Some smartwatches can also help detect irregular heartbeats.

Treatments include medicines, procedures and controlling conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Doctors say people should not assume unusual tiredness or breathlessness is simply ageing or anxiety.

Key facts

Condition: Atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder
Stroke risk: AFib can increase the risk of stroke by about five times
Possible complications: Heart failure and, over the long term, increased dementia risk
Detection: A 12-lead ECG can detect AFib; intermittent cases may require two or three weeks of monitoring
Indian risk factors: Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sarcopenic obesity and rheumatic heart disease
Treatment advances: Catheter ablation, including pulsed-field ablation, and newer blood-thinning medicines
Prevention focus: Doctors stressed controlling blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other lifestyle-related risks

deccanchronicle.com · 1 week ago