There's an electrical storm brewing inside the hearts of more than 2.2 million Americans. And just like lightning, this kind of storm can have devastating consequences.
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©University of Michigan Health System
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What happens when medicines aren't enough, and fail to control clotting and rhythm? And what about AF patients who have other problems that keep them from being able to take certain medicines? That's when procedures offered by a few specialized centers, including U-M, might be an option.
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The "storm", in this case, is a condition called atrial fibrillation - the most common form of irregular heartbeat in the United States.
And the "lightning bolts" they can produce are tiny blood clots, which can form when blood pools in a heart that's not beating regularly. When these clots escape the heart, they can travel to the brain. And then, quick as lightning, those clots can cause a stroke or mini-stroke that can kill or disable a person within minutes.
Comment: Said the ignorant of alarming facts regarding the vaccine, father. The fear-mongering campaign seems to be working!