Atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients with a history of cancer are less likely to see a cardiologist or fill anticoagulant prescriptions, compared with AFib patients who never had cancer, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. By not filling and taking prescribed medication, these patients are potentially putting themselves at… Continue reading Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Cancer Are Less LIkely to See Cardiologists
Category: Atrial Fibrillation
Treating AFib with Ablation Reduces Mortality and Stroke
Using catheter-based ablation instead of medications alone reduces the risks of death and stroke in patients with the heart arrhythmia known as atrial fibrillation, or AFib, according to new research. The analysis was made by physicians from the University of California, Davis. Medications can help reduce AFib symptoms and risks by controlling heart rate and… Continue reading Treating AFib with Ablation Reduces Mortality and Stroke
New Combined Risk Scores Effectively Predict Stroke Likelihood
Two clinical risk score models, when combined, help doctors more accurately assess the stroke risk of patients who have atrial fibrillation (Afib), an irregular, rapid heartbeat that can lead to stroke and heart failure. The composite stroke decision tool studied by researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City combines the… Continue reading New Combined Risk Scores Effectively Predict Stroke Likelihood
Atrial Fibrillation: Men Develop It Earlier and Weight Is A Factor
Men develop a type of irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, about a decade earlier than women on average, and being overweight is a major risk factor, according to a large new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation. In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart, or atria, quiver instead of… Continue reading Atrial Fibrillation: Men Develop It Earlier and Weight Is A Factor
Caregiving and Atrial Fibrillation
Many people associate cardiovascular disease solely with blocked arteries and heart attacks. However, over five million people suffer with electrical problems of the heart—a complex condition called atrial fibrillation. Most common in the elderly, AFib, as it’s known, comes in various forms; some come and go while some are persistent and even permanent, but they… Continue reading Caregiving and Atrial Fibrillation
African-Americans with AFib Face Higher Risks than Whites
Black people suffering from atrial fibrillation (AFib) have nearly double the risk of their white counterparts of having stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease and mortality from all causes, according to a study in JAMA Cardiology. The study, funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation and led by Jared Magnani, M.D., associate professor… Continue reading African-Americans with AFib Face Higher Risks than Whites
Researchers: Drinking Coffee Doesn’t Lead to Extra Heartbeats
Regular caffeine consumption does not lead to extra heartbeats and possible heart disease, according to UC San Francisco researchers. The finding is in contrast to current clinical trend of discouraging consumption of the beverage. The study, which measured the chronic consumption of caffeinated products over a 12-month period, rather than acute consumption, appears in the… Continue reading Researchers: Drinking Coffee Doesn’t Lead to Extra Heartbeats
How Blood Thinners Can Help Afib Patients
If you’re one of the 2.7 million Americans who have atrial fibrillation, you have an increased risk of a stroke. You can greatly reduce the risk of a stroke by 50% to 60% by taking a blood thinner (anticoagulant). A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot, depriving brain… Continue reading How Blood Thinners Can Help Afib Patients
The Truth About the Headlines Regarding Aspirin as a Preventive Measure
When the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a draft of a recommendation on September 15th 2015 regarding the use of aspirin to prevent heart disease and cancer, headlines heralding the news in both in print and online proliferated quickly. The New York Times blared “In a First, Aspirin Is Recommended to Fight a Form… Continue reading The Truth About the Headlines Regarding Aspirin as a Preventive Measure
Off-label Use of Device to Prevent Stroke in A-fib Patients Can Be Fatal
The Lariat device, which has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for soft tissue approximation (placement of a suture) during surgical procedures, is associated with a significant incidence of death and urgent cardiac surgery during its frequent off-label use to prevent stroke in patients with the irregular heartbeat known as atrial… Continue reading Off-label Use of Device to Prevent Stroke in A-fib Patients Can Be Fatal
Some Afib Patients Get Unnecessary Blood Thinners
About a quarter of all atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at the lowest risk for stroke receive unnecessary blood thinners from cardiology specialists, according to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco who contend that the providers must be made aware of the resulting potential health risks. Their research letter appears online and will be… Continue reading Some Afib Patients Get Unnecessary Blood Thinners