Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder. It significantly alters the daily life of patients, causing palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, instability, dizziness, increasing the risk ofStroke.
“Patients with AF often experience palpitations with the heart beating that is irregular and rapid. But, it is important to stress that some of the patients are asymptomatic, ”explains Professor Christophe Leclerc, cardiologist at Rennes University Hospital.
Sometimes asymptomatic, AF increases the risk of stroke
“AF is sometimes diagnosed during a simple routine examination but also when complications appear, especially the most serious: stroke », Explains Prof. Christophe Leclercq. Atrial fibrillation is a pathology to be taken very seriously because of its multiple consequences, in particular the occurrence of stroke. “Patients who suffer from it are five times more likely to have a stroke,” says Professor Christophe Leclercq, cardiologist at Rennes University Hospital.
Especially since the strokes that occur and which are linked to AF are much more serious. “In fact, the 30-day mortality is 30% and the 1-year mortality is 50% .7” recalls Professor Christophe Leclercq.
Given the low level of knowledge about atrial fibrillation, Bayer HealthCare, the Heart and Arteries Foundation, the France AVC association and the French NeuroVascular Society are launching an information campaign entitled “One danger can hide another”. It will begin on World Stroke Day on October 29.
Risk factors, symptoms, management, treatment, and follow-up. The site www.faattention.com will give all the information about stroke and AF.
Each year in France, around 130,000 new people are victims of a stroke. 33,000 die from it during the first month.
