‘1/3rd patients with Atrial fibrillation prone to stroke’

Hyderabad-based cardiologist Dr B Hygriv Rao on Thursday said that 1/3 of patients having Atrial fibrillation (AF) are asymptomatic and are at a risk of a stroke.
“Most cases are asymptomatic, and AF is discovered incidentally through ECG, routine checkups, or due to associated stroke. Stroke prevention in AF is important and blood thinners or oral anticoagulants are key for this.
AF patients should follow their treatment regimen properly. Lifestyle modifications are essential to manage risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, and cholesterol, which ultimately reduces the recurrence of stroke,” Rao explained.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) poses a substantial public health concern due to its potential to lead to life-threatening complications, including strokes. It is, a type of cardiovascular condition, in which an irregular heart rhythm originating in the upper chambers (atria), causes inefficient blood flow to the lower chambers (ventricles) due to disrupted electrical impulses in the heart.
According to hospital studies in India, 10-25% of stroke patients had underlying, silent AF.
In people who have symptomatic AF, the common symptoms include fatigue, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, fluttering sensations, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or chest pain.  Additionally, recognising stroke symptoms like numbness, weakness, confusion, speech difficulties, vision problems, walking issues, dizziness, and unexplained headaches is vital for immediate medical attention.