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Heart Disease  (Expert Forum)
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arrythmias andstroke
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.

arrythmias andstroke

by debra21784, Nov 30, 2001 12:00AM
After reading the forum for the last couple of weeks it seems I am not the only one with atrial fibrillation and at risk for ischemic stroke.Yet all the studies that are published obly address this in populations 60 and older .Am I missing something? Are individuals with this disorder at risk for a stroke?

by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Nov 30, 2001 12:00AM
Dear debra,
Yes, everyone with atrial fibrillation is at an elevated risk for stroke due to small clots forming in the atrium when they are not contracting. Everyone with afib should be on some type of anticougulation be it coumadin or aspirin.  What is different is the risk level for individuals of different ages.  The risk of stroke is higher in older individuals and in individuals with structural heart disese (disease) so generally coumadin is used in these cases.  In younger persons with normal hearts the risk is not as great and generally aspirin daily is all the protection that is needed.  Your doctor can evaluate the degree of risk for you based on your age, heart function and the amount of time you are in afib.  Based on this he/she can recommend coumadin or aspirin.
Member Comments (2)

by sinned, Dec 19, 2001 12:00AM
Hi, i am a 55 Male i have A-Fib for the past 5 yrs i would like to talk with someone with the same complaint as i feel it may help,are you that Person? Thanks.
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