According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) deaths occur each year from Atrial Fibrillation (“Afib”). Afib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), where the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) do not effectively move blood into the ventricles. This “pooling” or non-flowing blood within the heart blood can develop into clots. These clots can end up being pumped out by the heart, through the cardiovascular system, and into vessels within the brain, leading to a stroke or even death.
Thankfully, medical advances, including anticoagulant medications have made a tremendous impact in reducing the overall risk of stroke and death from Afib. Medications like Warfarin, Heparin, Coumadin and the newer drugs like Eliquis, can halt the growth and propagation of further blood clots within the body. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of Afib, it is important to timely report these symptoms to your health care provider. Timely and appropriate anticoagulation therapy, could avoid a stroke or even save your life.
