Life Goes On, The Caregiver

Atrial fibrillation  ( AF  or  A-fib ) is an  abnormal heart rhythm  characterized by  rapid and irregular beating  of the  atria .  Often it starts as brief periods of abnormal  beating  which become longer and possibly constant over time.  Often episodes have no symptoms.  Occasionally there may be heart  palpitations ,  fainting ,  lightheadedness ,  shortness of breath , or  chest pain .  The disease is associated with an increased risk of  heart failure ,  dementia , and  stroke .  It is a type of  supraventricular tachycardia .   ( from Wikipedia ) See AFibAre you at risk?   AFib is linked with a 5x higher risk of stroke. Take a quiz from the American Heart Association Visit heart.org/AFibTools to learn more  about AFib symptoms and stroke risk.  Back to Home

" The  American Stroke Association  is solely focused on  reducing disability and death from stroke." Popular Articles 1  Stroke Family Warmline 2  15 Things Caregivers Should Know After a Loved One Has Had a Stroke 3  What Is an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)? 4  What You Should Know About Cerebral Aneurysms 5  Types of Aphasia 6  Hemorrhagic Strokes (Bleeds) 7  Stroke Treatments 8  Brain Stem Stroke 9  Ischemic Strokes (Clots) 10  Difficulty Swallowing After Stroke (Dysphagia) Back to HOME

What is a Stroke? Blood Flow Blocked in the Brain courtesy of American Heart Association A person can suffer a stroke when blood flow and oxygen are cut-off, cells can die and depending on the area, time and amount of the brain affected will determine the extent of disability. A STROKE is a life-or-death situation and  needs  immediate  medical attention .  Call 911! Common terms to know : Ischemic Stroke  ~ The arteries to the brain become blocked and/or narrowed cutting off blood flow. Hemorrhagic Stroke  ~ The arteries to the brain can rupture and bleed. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)  ~ This is a TEMPORARY interruption of blood flow to the brain. Common Signs & Symptoms CAN include : ***Sudden numbness to the extremities, often affecting one side of the body. ***Sudden confusion and difficulty speaking. ***Difficulty walking and/or staying balanced. ***Sudden severe headache. F.A.S.T.   F ACE , Ask the person to ...