AFib Awareness Month: Lifestyle Changes

September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month when the spotlight is turned on this condition—a fluttering of the heart —that makes it 5x more likely to have a stroke. Learn about AFib’s risk factor for stroke and treatments.

Lifestyle changes

Even if you have AFib, it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes that will lower your risk for stroke and improve your overall quality of life.

Physical activity. Physical activity has many benefits including:

• Improving heart and lung functioning
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Reducing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis

Talk to your nurse or doctor before beginning a physical activity program if:

• You haven’t been active recently
• You have health problems, such as high blood pressure
• You’re pregnant
• You’re over 60

Quit smoking. Smoking is the #1 cause of preventable death in the U.S. It causes numerous illnesses, including coronary heart disease and stroke. If you smoke, rest assured: it’s never too late to quit.

TIP: Quitting smoking is the single most important step you can take to improve the length and quality of your life

Manage stress. Chronic stress takes its toll on your body and may cause significant health problems, including heart disease.

Sudden emotional stress, especially anger, can trigger heart attacks, arrhythmias and even sudden death—especially in people who already have heart disease

Control your blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure greater than 120 is a risk factor for stroke. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, managing stress and not smoking will help you manage your blood pressure and lower your risk of stroke or complicated AFib.

Learn about AFib treatment and risk factors.

Source: ALittleFib.org

Categorized in: Stroke Symptoms & Updates