Researchers are finding that atrial fibrillation and subsequent strokes related to the arrhythmia are on the rise as the population ages. Between 2003 to 2010 there were 3.2 million hospitalizations due to acute cerebrovascular accidents and 22% were related to atrial fib. The number of atrial-fibrillation-related strokes rose from 70,953 in 2003 to 100,276 in 2010 up to 25.3 % in women and 19.4% in men. We need more education about stroke prevention. The rise may be attributed to several factors and one of them being medication non-compliance. Warfarin discontinuation rate is between 45-50%. I see patients who don't want to take their anticoagulants because the medication makes them feel ill and weak. In my mother's case, she had a brain bleed because of being over-medicated with coumadin.
Even though mortality rates following acute strokes fell from 12.1% to 9% related to atrial fibrillation; the mortality rate was more than double for atrial fibrillation-related strokes. More patients are surviving strokes and stroke survivors have an elevated risk of having another one. Prior transient ischemic attacks or TIA, diabetes, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure are risk factors and comorbidities for atrial fibrillation-related strokes.
Second Nature patients take Xymogen's 5-L-MTHFR, AngiNOX, Magnesium Citrate, Methyl Protect, Nattokinase, CoQmax-100 CF, Bio C 1:1, and NeuroActives BrainSustain to prevent stroke. I recommend a moderate protein diet, high in plant and seed fiber and low in sugar.