When you have your blood pressure checked, they also place two fingers on your wrist to check the rhythm of your heart. The rhythm of your heart is an important indicator of your risk of stroke. About 15 percent of all people having a stroke have a heart disease called atrial fibrillation, or AF. Atrial fibrillation is caused when the two upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly and unpredictably, producing an irregular heartbeat. AF raises the risk of stroke because it allows blood to pool in the heart. When blood pools, it tends to form clots, which can then be carried to the brain, causing a stroke.

• Atrial fibrillation or AF is most often found in people over age 65 and in people with heart disease or thyroid disorders.
• Among people age 50-59, AF is linked to 6.7 percent of strokes. By age 80-89, AF is responsible for 36.2 percent of all strokes.

In many cases, AF can go undetected because there may not be symptoms that present themselves with this condition. As a risk factor for stroke, it is important that AF is diagnosed and treated appropriately to reduce the risk of stroke.

To learn more about AF and a simple technique you can do to help detect AF for you and others, double click on the Cardioliving website references listed below. The Cardioliving website is a community service site for the public sponsored by DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company.

• What is AF?
• Check Your Pulse America^TM

If you do not have access to a computer for website information, please contact the National Stroke Association at 1-800-STROKES (800-787-6537)