Everything you need to know about atrial fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation: What Is It and What Is the Best Treatment?

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats irregularly and often too fast.

As a result, blood does not flow properly through the heart and blood clots can form. If such a clot travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.

How common is it?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder.

About 1 in 4 people will develop it during their lifetime

Around 1–2% of the population currently has it

In people over 80 years old, this increases to more than 10%

👉 It becomes more common as we age.

What happens without treatment?

Without treatment, the risk of stroke is significantly increased:

Up to 5 times higher risk of stroke

On average, about 5% per year will suffer a stroke (depending on risk factors)

Strokes caused by atrial fibrillation are often:

more severe

more likely to cause permanent damage

👉 That is why proper treatment is very important.

How can atrial fibrillation be treated?

1. Medication (current standard treatment)

Most patients receive blood thinners (anticoagulants).

These medications:

reduce the risk of blood clots

significantly lower the risk of stroke

👉 Downside: they increase the risk of bleeding

2. Closing the left atrial appendage (LAA closure)

Another option is closing the left atrial appendage, a small pouch in the heart where clots often form.

In this procedure:

a small device (“plug”) is inserted via a catheter (through the groin)

the appendage is sealed off

👉 Goal: prevent strokes without long-term use of blood thinners

What is the difference between these treatments?

Medication:
works throughout the body → fewer clots, but higher bleeding risk

LAA closure:
works locally in the heart → but is a procedure with its own risks

What does recent research show?

A recent large study looked at patients with:

a high risk of stroke

and a high risk of bleeding

The results were clear:

👉 Closing the left atrial appendage was not better than medication
👉 There were even more complications (such as bleeding or death)

Although stroke risk may have been slightly lower, this benefit was offset by other risks, especially in the first months after the procedure.

What does this mean for you?

For most patients, blood-thinning medication remains the safest and best treatment.

LAA closure is:

not routinely recommended

only considered in specific situations

and always after consultation with a specialist

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is a common condition associated with an increased risk of stroke. Fortunately, this risk can be effectively treated.

👉 Based on recent research, medication remains the best choice, especially in patients with a high risk of both stroke and bleeding.

If you have questions about which treatment is best for you when diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, feel free to make an appointment at HAP.GENT – General Practice Ghent.