Public Health, Aging and Atrial Fibrillation
Contributing Cause of Death and Medicare Hospitalization, United States, 1999
Stroke is a leading cause in the United States of serious long-term disability and the third leading cause of death. One of the major risk factors for stroke is atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac disorder characterized by cardiac arrhythmia and the absence of coordinated contractions, which increases the risk for blood stasis, clot formation, and embolic stroke.
AF affects approximately 2.2 million adults in the United States (1,2) and is the most common sustained heart rhythm disturbance observed in clinical practice (3). The rate of AF increases with age, from <1% among persons aged <60 years to approximately 10% among persons aged >80 years (4). The frequency with which AF is reported on death certificates as a contributing cause of death has increased since 1980 (5).
To assess the burden of AF-related deaths and hospitalizations among U.S. residents, CDC analyzed national and state multiple-cause mortality statistics and Medicare hospital claims for persons with AF in 1999 (the latest year for which data were available) for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The findings indicate that AF as a contributing cause of death and hospitalization affects primarily persons aged >75 years and that death and hospitalization rates vary by state. Public and medical education are needed to prevent and reduce AF-related disability and death. For more information use the link below.
Cardio Smart, American College of Cardiology
Information about Atrial Fibrillation
Under normal circumstances, the human heart pumps to a strong and steady beat – in fact, more than 100,000 heartbeats each day!
But if you have atrial fibrillation, or AFib, the heart doesn’t always beat or keep pace the way it should. Many people with AFib say they can feel their heart racing, fluttering or skipping beats.
A-Fib is the most common heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia). A major concern with A-Fib is that it also makes blood clots in the heart that can travel and cause strokes or block flow to other critical organs.
For more information here’s a Link, CardioSmart.org
Heart and Stroke News, Get the Latest
About Arrhythmia, Are You at Risk?
The term “arrhythmia” refers to any change from the normal sequence of electrical impulses. The electrical impulses may happen too fast, too slowly, or erratically – causing the heart to beat irregularly.
Untreated, Arrhythmias such as tachycardia or atrial firillation can have serious consequenses, including cardiac arrest and stroke.
For more information go to American Heart Association
American Stroke Association
About The American Stroke Association
Every stroke is unique, and so is every recovery. As a trusted resource, look to us for the latest evidence-based information on stroke, post-stroke recovery, caregiver tools and resources, and education for health care professionals. The American Heart Association created the Dallas-based American Stroke Association as a division in 1998. To learn more or get involved, call 1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653) or visit stroke.org. For more information go to American Stroke Association
F.A.S.T. Warning Signs
Use the letters in F.A.S.T to spot a Stroke
- F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
- T = Time to call 911
Other Stroke Symptoms
Watch for Sudden:
- NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
- TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause
Celebrities that have Atrial Fibrillation
Joe Biden
Howie Mandel
Larry Bird
Anyone can get Atrial Fibrillation, it is estimated that in 2030 there will be closer to 18 million people diagnosed with A-Fib.
Steve has written several books and I felt it was appropriate to share with you because he has a very strong will to overcome obstacles, and I admire that. He was diagnosed with A-Fib and refused to let it control his life.
He researched and found a doctor in France, that performs catheter ablation for A-Fib patients. He flew there and had the procedure done and has been A-Fib free ever since.
I highly recommend reading his book and checking his website out as well. He brings inspiration to the table, us A-Fibbers could use a little more of that. His award for Best Book below.
a-fib.com is an excellent resource for A-Fib
Steve S. Ryan Steve S. Ryan * WINNER 2014 USA Best Book Awards in Health/Medical Reference * GOLD WINNER 2014 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards in Non Fiction: Health-Medical * WINNER NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner in Health, Summer 2014 * WINNER 2014 International Book Awards in Health: Aging/50+ FINALIST 2014 National Indie Excellence Book Awards – Medical * WINNER 2014 Eric Hoffer Awards in E-Book NonFiction * GOLD WINNER 2014 eLIT AWARDS in Health/Medicine/Nutrition WINNER 2014 FIRST HORIZON AWARD for Debut Authors, Erin Hoffer Book Awards * WINNER 2013 IRWIN AWARDS: Book Publicists of Southern California 5-STAR REVIEW ‘READER’S FAVORITE’ August 2013 * HEALTH ACTIVIST AWARDS Nominee, Jan. 2013 * GLOBAL EBOOK AWARDS Nominee, April 2012 WHAT DOCTORS AND PATIENTS ARE SAYING: “…incredibly complete and easy-to-understand for anybody…should be read by physicians as well.