Many With Common Irregular Heartbeat Unaware of Stroke Risk

Many With Frequent Irregular Heartbeat Unaware of Stroke Threat

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 16, 2016 (HealthDay Information) -- Practically one-third of Individuals newly identified with the frequent coronary heart rhythm dysfunction atrial fibrillation (AF) do not realize the situation places them at elevated danger for stroke, a brand new research finds.

The irregular heartbeat in AF sufferers could cause blood to pool, which may trigger blood clots that may result in stroke, researchers defined.

The research revealed misconceptions some sufferers had about atrial fibrillation.

"This helps us see gaps in data and understanding," mentioned lead creator Emily O'Brien, from the Scientific Analysis Institute at Duke College in Durham, N.C.

O'Brien and her staff surveyed 1,000 individuals identified with atrial fibrillation up to now six months. Their median age was 69. About 63 % strongly agreed that stroke is a significant danger issue of atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, round 32 % believed that coronary heart assault is a significant danger issue of AF, which is wrong, the researchers reported.

Sixty % of the sufferers mentioned they understood the function of blood thinners to handle their dysfunction. But solely a minority mentioned they understood their choices for blood thinners (30 %), medication that management coronary heart rhythm (16 %) and ablation, a process to destroy tissue within the coronary heart inflicting irregular rhythm (12 %).

Simply 13 % of sufferers mentioned their important supply of details about atrial fibrillation was the web, whereas practically 73 % mentioned it was their physician, the research revealed.

"We thought at the moment, we'd see a better proportion relying on the web or household and buddies for data," O'Brien mentioned in a college information launch. "However an encouragingly excessive proportion are counting on their supplier.

"We actually need to be sure that we keep away from any misconceptions in regards to the situation and the way it's handled. This offers place to begin for future interventions and training for sufferers on this group," she mentioned.

The research was scheduled to be introduced Monday on the annual assembly of the American Coronary heart Affiliation, in New Orleans. Findings launched at conferences are normally thought-about preliminary till printed in a peer-reviewed journal.

-- Robert Preidt

Copyright © 2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: Duke College, information launch, Nov. 14, 2016