Stroke Prevention In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation – Nurse, Nurse Practitioner

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex, yet common heart arrhythmia. Individuals with AF may experience a variety of symptoms – or no symptoms at all. In fact, up to 87% of adults are initially asymptomatic. Those with symptoms will complain of palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest tightness/pain, dizziness, or fainting. Additionally, individuals with AF have a 4- to 5-fold increased risk of stroke, with a 1.5-fold (men) to 2-fold (women) increased risk of death. In addition to general risk factors, the prevalence of AF increases with age – and the US population is growing older. By the year 2030, an estimated 12.1 million people in the US will be diagnosed with AF.