Stroke fears

Hi All,
I keep reading how we who have AF are more vulnerable (higher risk) to stroke from Blood clots.What I don't understand is how much of a higher risk are we and what factors figure into the risk. When my original fibulation did not show up on the EKG when I finally had my cardiology appt (my heart appears fine otherwise based on echocard) my Dr. took me of wafarin/coumitin and put me on 325 mg of asprin.(i'm also on 37.5 of atonol?). At first I was glad to get off the wafarin but now I get really nervous everytime I have an AF episode because of blood clot fears.Any info would be greatly appreciated. Jim of Newton, MA

3 Comments

Stroke Fears.

by Stepford_Wife - 2007-05-15 07:05:28

How does aspirin prevent a heart attack or stroke?

Aspirin interferes with your blood's clotting action. When you bleed, your blood's clotting cells, called platelets, accumulate at the site of your cut or wound. The platelets normally form a sticky plug that seals the opening in your blood vessel to stop bleeding. However, blood can also clot within the blood vessels that supply your heart and brain with blood. If blood vessels are already narrowed from accumulation of fatty deposits, a blood clot can quickly block the artery. This prevents blood flow to the heart or brain and causes a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin therapy reduces the clumping action of your platelets — possibly preventing heart attack and stroke.
I hope this little bit of information will help to put your mind at ease Jim, and allow you to relax a little.
Take care,

~ Dominique ~

Stroke fears and afib

by Vai - 2007-05-15 09:05:03

I suggest you google "afib stroke risk" and look up some of the sites. The site "www.cardiofocus.com" gives a quick summary that answers all of the questions you asked.

Managing the afib (frequency and duration) is critical and it involves exercise, weight management, rest, stress and medication. The atenolol looks like a maintanance dose to suppress the heart rate and avoids the onset of afib. The 325 mg aspirin is adult dosage to thin the blood to mitigate the risk of stroke that may arise from the blood pooling in the atria during a afib epsiode.

I have persistent afib and my doc prescribed 160mg sotolal (atenolol did not work out as well for me) + 300mg aspirin. The doc felt warfarin should only be last resort as its more difficult to manage and balance out to the body needs.

Amend Stroke fears and afib

by Vai - 2007-05-15 10:05:18

Just to re-write the statement
"The 325 mg aspirin is adult dosage to thin the blood to mitigate the risk of stroke that may arise as a result of blood clots formed from the blood pooling in the atria during a afib epsiode."

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