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Half of Those With Atrial Fibrillation Don’t Know of Increased Stroke Risk, Survey Finds
Half the people who have atrial fibrillation deny or don’t know they have a higher risk for stroke, according to a new American Heart Asso- ciation (AHA) survey.
The most serious risk of AFib is the other con- ditions it can lead to, including stroke. Yet, in the association’s survey of 502 adults living with the condition, only eight percent said stroke is their greatest health con- cern. Stroke is the third killer in America, behind heart disease and cancer.
“While there’s a lot known about atrial fibrillation, there’s a lot unknown as well,” said Mark Estes III, M.D., professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. “The American Heart Associ- ation’s goal for AFib is to bridge those knowledge gaps through research and education. By help- ing people better under- stand their risks, we can impact treatment and prevention of AFib and AFib-related strokes,” Estes explained.
Of those surveyed, half thought they were at risk for stroke; 25 percent said they weren’t at risk; and 25 percent didn’t know. The survey also found that only two- thirds recalled that their healthcare provider talked with them about their elevated stroke risk.
It also found that among the 66 percent of AFib patients who talked with their doctors, 21 percent said they were told they have no stroke risk. “Patients need to be aware of this risk and
have serious conversa- tions with their health- care providers about what they should be doing to prevent stroke,” Estes said.
One side of a new AHA info graphic poster for healthcare professionals includes facts from the association’s recent AFib patient survey. The other side graphically explains AFib, the risk of stroke and the stroke warning signs. u
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