Taking Anticoagulants For Atrial Fibrillation: Why Are Anticoagulants Used For Atrial Fibrillation
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Why are anticoagulants used for atrial fibrillation?
Anticoagulants are used to treat atrial fibrillation because irregularly beating heart chambers cause blood to pool. Pooled blood is more likely to develop blood clots, which can travel from the heart to the brain and cause a stroke. Anticoagulants help prevent the blood clots from forming and reduce the risk of stroke caused by atrial fibrillation.
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Taking anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation
| Last updated: | January 18, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Laurence Epstein, MD - Cardiac Electrophysiologist |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman |
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