How can atrial fibrillation cause a stroke?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) can cause a stroke by increasing the risk for blood clots. In AFib the abnormal heartbeat rhythm can lead to blood pooling in the heart’s atria and forming clots, blocking the arteries and depriving the brain of oxygen. That creates an ideal setting for a blood clot to form. read more

It can be difficult to receive an atrial fibrillation (AFib) diagnosis. People with AFib are often overwhelmed by the condition and how it may impact them. Many people with AFib are unaware of the five-times greater risk of stroke as a result of having AFib. read more

How Atrial Fibrillation Leads to Stroke. Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal, fast electrical rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart. During atrial fibrillation the upper chambers do not contract fully. In small areas in the upper chamber, in particular a pouch called the left atrial appendage, blood flow can become impaired. read more