We often hear atrial fibrillation patients say that they wish their doctors could experience afib just once so they might better understand what we afib patients go through. Dr. John Mandrola, a Louisville-based electrophysiologist and a bike racer, just shared his story of experiencing atrial fibrillation and how it made him a more empathic doctor. …
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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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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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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has introduced a video to help those on anticoagulant drugs, such as Coumadin or warfarin, to use them safely. The video is designed to complement what patients learn from their doctors, pharmacies, or Coumadin clinics. Anticoagulants reduce the risk of stroke in those with atrial fibrillation by …
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AF StatTM: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation is a collaboration of healthcare leaders and organizations working to improve the health and well-being of people affected by atrial fibrillation. Next Wednesday, AF Stat will be holding a webcast and all afib patients, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to attend. This webcast will not cover …
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If you have atrial fibrillation, how do you know your risk of stroke and whether or not you should be taking Coumadin® or warfarin? Dr. Manish Shah talks about the CHADS2 scoring system that addresses this afib controversy and how your doctor will assess your CHADS2 score. Dr. Shah is …
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Dr. Manish Shah talks about Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban, new drugs in clinicals trials to replace the blood thinner Coumadin® (warfarin), an anticoagulant frequently used to avoid strokes by those with atrial fibrillation. He talks about the two categories of these new drugs, thrombin inhibitors and Factor Xa (10a) inhibitors. Dr. …
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Dr. David Wilber talks about the findings of a large multicenter trial of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation that was reported on at the Heart Rhythm Society 2009 annual meeting. He also discusses the window of opportunity for treating afib for those with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Dr. Wilber is the …
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Dr. Anne Cahill talks about supplements and arrhythmia, including the impact of Omega-3 fatty acids on arrhythmias. Dr. Anne Cahill is a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Heart & Vascular Institute of the Pocono Medical Center, and a Clinical Associate at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. StopAfib.org, at www.StopAfib.org, …
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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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