Urgent coordinated action is needed to avoid the thousands of preventable strokes that leave many atrial fibrillation (AF) patients mentally and physically disabled or dead every year. A report, How Can We Avoid a Stroke Crisis?, was launched today in the European Parliament in Brussels by Action for Stroke Prevention, a group of health experts …
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A newly published study shows obesity is a major risk factor for left atrial enlargement (LAE), a condition in which the left upper chamber of the heart is oversized. That's important to people who are concerned about atrial fibrillation (AF) because LAE is a risk factor for afib, stroke and death. Read more: Obesity Raises …
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Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that disrupts breathing during sleep, is believed to be linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) but until now, we didn’t know if apnea could actually trigger arrhythmias like afib. Now a new study shows the odds of having an abnormal heartbeat are 18 times higher immediately after an apnea episode, compared …
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This September, StopAfib.org marks the third year of celebrating Atrial Fibrillation Month to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation (afib), an expensive and life-threatening irregular heartbeat that is a common cause of stroke. StopAfib.org founder, Mellanie True Hills, knows the toll that atrial fibrillation takes on those with it and their families. After surviving blood clots …
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Sleep apnea is an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation. It is also associated with hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, and insulin resistance, all of which are risk factors for, or results of, atrial fibrillation. Now a new study has just reported that men between the ages of 40 and 70 who …
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StopAfib.org recently spoke with Dr. Anne Cahill, a cardiothoracic surgeon, about arrhythmias and supplements, including Omega-3 fatty acids. Watch the interview at: Video Interview with Dr. Anne Cahill
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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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Recently we reported on the results of the Watchman device trial as an alternative to Coumadin or warfarin in the prevention of strokes among those with atrial fibrillation. We mentioned that it would be reviewed by the FDA Advisory Committee on April 23, 2009. In advance of the review meeting on Thursday, the FDA has …
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