AFib Treatments to Help You Prevent Stroke

A goal for treating AFib may be to restore the normal, regular rhythm of the heart to help prevent a stroke. Often, this can be done with medications or the use of electrical stimulation (a procedure called “cardioversion”). AFib treatment may also concentrate on protecting against blood clots that travel from the heart to the brain and cause strokes.

Blood-thinning medications known as anticoagulants can greatly reduce stroke risk if taken properly. They work by preventing blood clots from forming and can reduce the risk of first stroke in AFib patients by 60 to 80 percent.

While most AFib-related strokes can be prevented with anticoagulants, it is estimated that more than half of AFib patients may not be prescribed these medications. There are several reasons why these medications are not prescribed, including:

• Interactions with other drugs and diet (e.g., foods such as green leafy vegetables containing vitamin K);
• The necessity for frequent blood tests and monitoring; and
• Concerns about risk of bleeding. Talk to your healthcare professional about whether anticoagulants are right for you.

Learn more here: AFib Treatments to Prevent Stroke