New research indicates that A-fib can potentially impact men and women differently when it comes to brain health.
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a heart rhythm disorder where the heart’s upper chambers beat quickly and irregularly, causing a disturbance in blood flow. Instead of contracting in a coordinated manner, the atria does not function properly, leading to inefficient pumping of blood into the ventricles. A-fib can cause symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. It increases the risk of blood clots, which can lead to stroke. Treatments aim to restore normal heart rhythm, control heart rate, and prevent complications through medications, procedures like cardioversion or ablation, and lifestyle changes. Regular medical follow-up is crucial for managing A-fib.
A-fib has also been linked to things like cognitive decline and dementia. Unfortunately, many people don’t know that this is present in their lives until some sort of emergency occurs. Immediate treatment can help prevent some of the more serious outcomes from occurring immediately, but these long term risks are still associated with the disease. Knowing your risk and what the prognosis can help to improve your long term quality of life.
This new study indicates that women are more at risk of suffering from cognitive decline than men are when they have A-fib present. One of the theories of why this might be is that women tend to go undiagnosed for longer periods of time than men do. It also puts women at a higher risk of suffering from a stroke and premature death. This should highlight the importance of preventative care for everyone.
Another theory that was posited by this study was that those who are suffering from A-fib might be more prone to suffering from mini-strokes, which can have a profound impact on cognitive functioning and memory. There’s a lot more research needed in this area before conclusions are made. Regardless of the reasoning why, the researchers recommended that those diagnosed with A-fib speak to their doctors about using blood thinners to mitigate risk.
The research comes out of Emory University, which is located in Atlanta, Georgia. They published their findings in the journal, Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Whatever health or cognitive issues your loved one might be up against, in-home care can help make their life a little easier. In-home care is designed to ease the burdens of daily life so that things like comfort, family, and hobbies can become the primary focus. Disability or difficulty getting around can certainly make activities of daily living daunting. Extra support can alleviate this.
If you’d like to learn a little bit more about how we can help you and your family get connected to the assistance that is needed to thrive, we’re here for you. In-home care can help those struggling with A-fib, dementia, and many other diseases and disabilities. It’s designed to keep people in their homes so that they can live life like they did when they didn’t require care.
Give us a call today if you’d like to talk more.
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