sudden confusion or change in level of awareness.sudden loss of vision, blurred vision, or double vision.sudden difficulty with balance or coordination.slurred speech, garbled speech, or difficulty finding words.sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your face, arm, or leg.To decrease the risk of stroke, medicines that prevent blood clots from forming in the heart are often used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The type of stroke and symptoms will depend on where the clot goes in the brain. If a blood clot breaks off and goes to the brain, it will cause a stroke.

The rapid and irregular beating of the heart that occurs with atrial fibrillation can allow a blood clot to form in the atria. Q: How does atrial fibrillation cause a stroke? In fact, atrial fibrillation is a leading cause of stroke in older adults. It can lead to heart failure and to stroke. Q: Why is it important to get checked for atrial fibrillation? What can happen if you have atrial fibrillation but don’t get treatment?Ī: It is important to get diagnosed and treated, because atrial fibrillation can cause serious symptoms and complications. In addition, atrial fibrillation may occur following major surgery. Lung diseases such as emphysema and sleep apnea can also cause atrial fibrillation. It is somewhat more common in men than in women.Ĭommon causes of atrial fibrillation include heart conditions such as high blood pressure, previous heart attack, heart valve disease, and heart failure. The risk of atrial fibrillation also increases with age. It is one of the more common types of heart rhythm problems.Ī: Atrial fibrillation usually occurs because there has been damage or scarring of the atria.

A: Atrial fibrillation is a rapid and irregular beating of the atria, which are the upper chambers of the heart.

Heart quivering at night