Crisis prevention is one of the most cost-effective strategies in elder care. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and rapid contractions of the atria, the upper chamber of each half of the heart. The right atrium receives blood from throughout the body which has been used to deliver oxygen and food to the cells, and now returns to the heart so it can be replenished. The left atrium receives blood from the lungs that has been replenished with oxygen. When this delicate balance of nature is upset, the patient has a high risk of ischemic stroke.
Ischemia refers to a temporary reduction in blood to the body.
The special challenge for doctors is identifying those patients who fall into this high-risk category, so they can be given proper treatment. That's great news. However, on a cautionary note, the efficacy of aspirin for preventing stroke in AF patients is controversial. Although clearly less effective than warfarin therapy for prevention of ischemic events, treatment with aspirin carries a lower risk of bleeding. Those concerned about the gastrointestinal risks of aspirin use should see AgeVenture articles on ulcer risk and ulcer origin .