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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : April 15, 2015 3:16 PM IST
A new study has revealed that a blood test can help in detecting the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke among the people who are genetically predisposed to the development of the problem. The number of people affected by atrial fibrillation has been rising rapidly, partly as a result of the ageing population. Over recent years, a research group at Lund University in Sweden, working with other universities and hospitals in Europe and the USA has identified twelve genetic variants in the human genome that increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.
Olle Melander, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Gustav Smith, Associate Professor in Cardiology, both from Lund University stated that one in five people have a genetic weakness that means they have twice as high a risk of developing atrial fibrillation as those with a low genetic risk and this genetic risk was therefore one of the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation that they know of in people without overt cardiac disease, so it increases the risk as much as high bloodpressure.
Melander further mentioned that the present results are one of several examples of how genetics research was not only an effective way of identifying new disease mechanisms, but could also have clinical applications and help doctors and patients to decide on the right tests and treatment. If an individual with atrial fibrillation is regarded as having a sufficiently high stroke risk, lifelong treatment with anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin would be required in order to lower the risk.
What is Atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition characterized by irregular heart beat and rapid heart rate. In this condition, the two atria of the heart beat irregularly and hence lose coordination with the ventricles.
An abnormal heart beat is generated due to irregular electrical impulse from the pulmonary veins that disrupts the normal electrical rhythm of the heart. AF can occur for a few hours in a day or may even occur for a whole day. In case it continues for a long duration, one should always seek medical treatment.
What is stroke?
Also known as a cerebrovascular accident, stroke is a medical emergency that arises when arteries that supply blood to the brain get affected. As a result a part of the brain doesn t receive sufficient blood supply. Without blood and nutrient supply, the brain cells get affected and can die within a few minutes. Stroke often results in long-term dysfunction of the body part controlled by the affected brain area. There are two main types of strokes: ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused due to a block (blood clot) in the blood vessel whereas a haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding through a tear in the blood vessel. Damage occurred by has a huge impact on various aspects of life and well-being. A single stroke can makes a person age by 36 years. People who survive a stroke need rigorous treatment and rehabilitation methods to achieve full recovery. Strokes can be prevented with healthy diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Stroke can be more damaging in women and hence women can refer to these guidelines for stroke prevention in women.
With inputs from ANI
Photo source: Getty images
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