How does atrial fibrillation cause blood clots

Acute stroke and transient ischemic attack. Mankad R expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Ferri FF. Atrial fibrillation. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; January CT, et al. Heart Rhythm. See also Infographic: Ablation for Cancer Treatment Ablation therapy Atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation ablation Atrial fibrillation and managing stress AV node ablation Robot-assisted minimally invasive mitral valve repair at Mayo Clinic Cardiac ablation Infographic: Cardiac Ablation Caregiving for someone with atrial fibrillation Does atrial fibrillation run in families?

Does older age increase the risk of atrial fibrillation? Pregnancy and atrial fibrillation Pulmonary vein isolation Shortness of breath Should I make changes to my diet if I've been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? X-ray Show more related content. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. ART Home Reduce your risk of stroke if you have atrial fibrillation.

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In this case, you may be a candidate for catheter ablation. During this procedure, your doctor will thread a thin catheter through one of the veins in your heart. Electricity is then used to destroy either the area that is firing too fast or the pathway that allows the electrical impulses to travel from the atria where the impulses originate to the ventricles.

Your doctor may also recommend treatment for underlying conditions that might be contributing to your AFib. For example, heart defects, heart disease, electrolyte abnormalities, drug and alcohol use and abuse, pulmonary emboli, thyroid problems, and infections can cause AFib and increase your risk of blood clots. Your recommended treatment plan will vary, depending on your specific diagnosis. Healthy lifestyle choices can help you prevent AFib, other forms of heart disease, and the formation of blood clots.

For example:. But in some cases, it can cause blood clots to form. If left untreated, these blood clots can travel to other areas of the body and cause serious damage, with stroke being the most common and serious complication.

If you suspect you might have AFib or blood clots, contact your doctor. They can help diagnose your symptoms. They can also help you develop a treatment plan to manage your condition and lower your risk of complications. A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that occurs in the lungs. It can damage part of the lung and other organs and decrease oxygen levels in the blood. Blood clotting is a normal function that occurs when you have an injury.

Find out what happens if clot doesn't dissolve or forms in a blood vessel. This side effect can occur across all age groups and…. Atrial fibrillation AFib is the most common type of arrhythmia in the United States. Stroke When the upper chambers of the heart atria do not pump efficiently, as in atrial fibrillation, there's a risk of blood clots forming.

Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of a stroke by around 5 times. Heart failure If your atrial fibrillation is persistent, it may start to weaken your heart. Problems with the heart's structure are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation.

Possible causes of atrial fibrillation include:. In atrial fibrillation, the chaotic heart rhythm can cause blood to collect in the heart's upper chambers atria and form clots. If a blood clot in the left upper chamber left atrium breaks free from the heart area, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. The risk of stroke from atrial fibrillation increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase your risk of a stroke due to A-fib , including:.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation. Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation.

Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:. Atrial fibrillation care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Atrial fibrillation Open pop-up dialog box Close. Atrial fibrillation In a typical heart rhythm, a tiny cluster of cells at the sinus node sends out an electrical signal sinus node impulse.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Atrial fibrillation. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed July 6, Zipes DP, et al. Catheter ablation: Technical aspects.