How can I help someone with atrial fibrillation avoid a stroke or heart failure?

Atrial fibrillation dramatically increases the risk of stroke -- approximately 15 percent of strokes happen in people with AF. That's why it's vitally important that the person you're caring for do everything he can to reduce his risk.

Unless he has a serious bleeding problem, he needs to take aspirin or warfarin to make his blood less likely to clot. But he also needs to make important lifestyle changes and control other medical conditions like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and diabetes.

For more detailed information about preventing stroke, see 10 Ways You Can Help Your Parents Prevent a Stroke.

What are the warning signs of stroke?

Because the risk of stroke is so much higher with AF, you should familiarize yourself with the warning signs:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg -- especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness

Although a sudden severe headache may occur in someone having a "red" stroke (in which bleeding occurs), it's not a symptom of a stroke caused by a blood clot.

For more information, see How to Tell if Your Parent Is Having a Stroke.

What should I do if I think he's having a stroke?

Call 911 at the first sign of stroke. Don't wait to see if the symptoms go away, and don't let the person you're caring for talk you out of calling.

Should we worry about heart failure?

Prolonged AF can weaken the heart, ultimately resulting in congestive heart failure. But as long as your friend or relative's AF is being treated, this is one complication you shouldn't worry about. And even if he does develop heart failure, he may still live well for many years.