why does atrial fibrillation cause strokes?

Question

What is the role of arixtra in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation?

Answer 1

Clot formation: Because blood in the left atrium is not propelled forward normally during atiral fibrillation, it allows for the formation of clots. Small areas of blood pooling resembling little eddy currents allow blood to slow down and form clots. If one of these clots is then propelled forward it can travel to the brain, become lodged in a blood vessel and cause a stroke.A clot the size of a pinhead can do it.

Answer 2

Standstill: The extremely rapid rates of atrial fibrillation are in fact so fast that they create two problems: the top chamber is not mechanically moving very far at all, so it cannot shake clots loose, in the overactive atrial tissue secretes chemicals which increase the likelihood of clot formation. These processes come together to substantially increase stroke risk.

Answer 3

No: Afib cannot directly cause ed. Medicines used to treat afib can impair erections and conditions associated with afib such as heart failure, coronary disease also can cause ed.

Answer 4

No, but…: Atrial fibrillation is frequently associated with other cardiovascular disease. In patients with cardiovascular disease, damage to the blood vessels is rarely limited to only a single vessel, or even a single organ. The artery supplying the penis is relatively small and relatively easily occluded, and so cardiovascular disease may unify these two problems.

Answer 5

Atrial fibrillation: To achieve erection you have to have enough inflow to the penis and basal constrictors working to damp the outflow. Afib in some people can impair blood flow enough to interfere with inflow, especially in patients with atherosclerotic disease in the pelvic vessels.

Answer 6

Depends: New onset atrial fibrillation is often self limited, going away by itself. But the cause dictates the subsequent course. Thus treating things like high blood pressure, heart valve disease, heart failure, over active thyroid hormones, coronary disease, and avoiding alcohol may be important. Some drugs are useful to maintain rate and rhythm. If needed, electric shock (cardioversion) is effective.

Answer 7

You can't: If it's new, it's usually self-limiting. If it doesn't stop on it's own, there's nothing you can do, but your doctor can give you medication that will convert your rhythm and if that fails, it can be electrically converted while you're anesthetized. Note that if you have certain risk factors, you should have your blood thinned prior to any attempt to convert the rhythm.

Answer 8

Reduce risks: A fib will be more likely in setting of excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Alcohol use results in hyperstimulation of sympathetic nerves with Adrenalin during the process of alcohol metabolism. Other factors--pain/fever/breathing problems/sleep apnea can stimulate a fib episodes too.

Answer 9

Sometimes: There is a gene that makes the tendency to get it more likely, but most a fib is due to environmental and aquired factors such as age, valvular heart disease and alcohol.

Answer 10

Rarely: If atrial fibrillation is inherited, it is most often because of some other associated condition which is also inherited. There are rare types of atrial fibrillation which can be inherited, but generally speaking it follows either aging or other disease processes.

Answer 11

Rapid heart beat: You may feel that your heart is racing, sometimes you may feel like passing out, you feel irregular heart beat.

Answer 12

None: Ventricular fibrillation if not treated immediately is not compatible with life.

why does atrial fibrillation cause strokes?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Similar questions

Can atrial fibrillation cause ed?

How can someone stop atrial fibrillation?

Is atrial fibrillation inherited?

What does atrial fibrillation feel like?

What activities can cause one to remain unaware of ventricular fibrillation?

Related questions

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Found in:

People also asked

Related topics

Disclaimer:

Get the free app for Members

Get the free app for Doctors