Atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk, experts warn

Atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by irregular and rapid heartbeats, significantly increases the risk of stroke. According to cardiology expert Prof. Dr. Dursun Aras from Medipol Bahçelievler University Hospital, this arrhythmia is responsible for approximately one-fifth of all strokes. The condition occurs when the heart's atria lose their ability to contract regularly, leading to rapid and irregular electrical activity that can cause blood clots to form.

While common symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, edema, and chest pain, the condition can also be “silent,” progressing without any noticeable symptoms. Prof. Dr. Aras warns that the absence of felt symptoms does not eliminate the stroke risk, noting that for some patients, a stroke may be the very first sign of the disorder.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases with age. While it affects 2-3% of the general population, the frequency rises to 5-10% after age 65 and can reach 15-20% in individuals in their 80s.