This very important story may change how afib patients and their doctors decide if they should be on anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), such as Coumadin or warfarin. The CHADS2 scoring system is how doctors now decide who should be on Coumadin or warfarin to avoid strokes, but a newly-published study adds new stroke risk factors …
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Learn more about World Stroke Day and what atrial fibrillation patients need to know about their stroke risk.
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Research shows the sooner an atrial fibrillation surgical procedure is done, the less likely afib is to recur. People in permanent atrial fibrillation who underwent surgery for other heart diseases and had a left atrial ablation procedure for AF at the same time were more likely to be afib-free if the procedure was done within …
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In a newly-published study, diabetes was found to be an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation in women, increasing their risk of afib by 26%. The connection was not as strong for men, who were more at risk of obesity and high blood pressure from diabetes. Read more: Diabetes Increases a Woman's Risk of Atrial …
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There is a lot of concern about the H1N1 flu, commonly called swine flu, especially in light of recent deaths. With word that the vaccine may be delayed to some locations, what can those with atrial fibrillation do in the meantime? One key is in the recent finding that many swine flu deaths are due …
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We know that more men than women have atrial fibrillation, but that women have a higher rate of strokes and death. In fact, women account for about 61% of stroke deaths. Recent research at Rush University Medical Center identified nine specific gender differences between women and men who have atrial fibrillation. Those included that women …
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We continue to learn more about the family connection in atrial fibrillation. A second gene was just found that increases the risk of afib and stroke. At least one third of those of European descent carry one copy of the newly-discovered variant in the ZFHX3 gene and have a 20% increase in risk of afib …
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A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds a potential warning sign for three heart rhythm issues—the risk of atrial fibrillation, the need for a pacemaker, and the risk of death. When EKGs show a prolonged PR interval, that is traditionally considered relatively benign, but that may not be the …
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A new study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that increasing severity of sleep apnea is associated with a progressively increasing risk of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias. The type of sleep apnea matters: Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of ventricular events Central sleep apnea is common in heart …
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Because the holidays are full of potential atrial fibrillation triggers—food, hot and cold beverages, alcohol, stress, cold weather, and many more triggers—here's wishing you the willpower to resist your triggers. And if you can't resist, here's wishing that your body holds the afib beast at bay. Here are a couple of recent articles that may …
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