Information for people affected by AF
ABOUT THE AF TURNAROUND CAMPAIGN
Atrial fibrillation (often referred to as ‘AF’) is the most common arrhythmia (an arrhythmia is when your heart doesn’t beat at a regular rhythm)1 and if left untreated can increase the risk of stroke.2 If you are considered to be at risk of having an AF-related stroke, you may be given information by your healthcare professional on medicines to help prevent this.2
AF Turnaround provides tools and information to help people with AF have conversations with their doctor about living with AF and therapies to prevent AF-related stroke.
- Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA). AF Information & Advice For Patients. What is Atrial Fibrillation? Available at: http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/afa/uk/atrial-fibrillation. Last accessed: May 2018
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Atrial Fibrillation: management. Clinical Guideline (CG180). June 2014. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG180. Last accessed: May 2018
AF films
Prof Martin Cowie, Imperial College London, discusses why aspirin is not recommended on its own for the prevention of AF-related stroke
Dr David Collas, Specialist in Stroke Medicine at Watford General Hospital, discusses AF and the risk of AF-related stroke
Dr Dhiraj Gupta, Consultant Cardiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, discusses how an AF-related stroke can be prevented through anticoagulation therapy
Dr Dhiraj Gupta, Consultant Cardiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, explains the need for meaningful conversations about AF between healthcare professionals and patients
Dr Jonathan Salter, GP at Knightwick Surgery in Worcestershire, explains how the length of time that a patient will have anticoagulation therapy is calculated
Dr Jonathan Salter, GP at Knightwick Surgery in Worcestershire, goes through the possible impact that lifestyle choices might have on anticoagulation therapy
MY PLEDGE TO SUPPORT CHANGE IN AF AND AF-RELATED STROKE
One of the key pillars of AF Turnaround is for people affected by AF to take a pledge to support change in preventing AF-related stroke.
Click on a statement below to learn more:
As someone with AF or a loved one/carer of someone who has AF, I pledge to:
The best patient care happens when there has been truly shared decision making. Patients need to have the educational tools available to ensure that they can ask questions and make informed decisions about their anticoagulation therapy. This will help to support compliance with their chosen therapy option
Patients, carers and family members should ask doctors to explain the condition and the associated risks in language that they understand
You should be encouraged to find out how to undertake your own pulse checks or support family members to take their pulse
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT AF AND AF-RELATED STROKE
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with AF you may have questions for your doctor, nurse, or another healthcare professional about the type of medication that you or your loved one has been prescribed.
Current guidelines recommend that the majority of people at risk of AF-related stroke should be prescribed one of the following medicines, which are known as anticoagulants:1,2
- Apixaban
- Dabigatran
- Edoxaban
- Rivaroxaban
- Warfarin
Not all of these medicines are appropriate for all patients or all types of AF, so you should discuss with your doctor which of them may be right for you.
TOP QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT PREVENTING AF-RELATED STROKE AND ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY
- Does my diagnosis of AF mean that I am at risk of AF-related stroke and how high is my risk?
- Do I need medication to reduce my risk of an AF-related stroke?
- What are the medication options to reduce my risk of an AF-related stroke and what are the differences between them?
- Are there any restrictions on my lifestyle as a result of the medication I have been/or may be prescribed?
- (If you are an AF patient and taking aspirin) Have I been prescribed aspirin to reduce my risk of AF-related stroke, if so have I also been prescribed an anticoagulant?
- Should I continue to take aspirin if I am also prescribed an anticoagulant?
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Atrial Fibrillation: management. Clinical Guideline (CG180). June 2014. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG180. Last accessed: May 2018
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Edoxaban for preventing stroke and systemic embolism in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Technology Appraisal Guidance. September 2015. Available at:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta355/resources/edoxaban-for-preventing-stroke-and-systemic-embolism-in-people-with-nonvalvular-atrial-fibrillation-82602669987781. Last accessed: May 2018
ARE YOU FULLY INFORMED ABOUT AF?
The AF Turnaround campaign aims to help people with AF understand the importance of having meaningful and informed conversations with their healthcare professional about AF and AF-related stroke. This postcard provides information on AF and includes a checklist of key questions that you might want to ask during the consultation.
Be sure to keep this consultation checklist postcard handy to help you prepare for your next healthcare professional appointment.
STOPPING ANTICOAGULATION THERAPY BEFORE AN OPERATION, MEDICAL OR DENTAL PROCEDURE
If you are taking anticoagulation therapy to reduce your risk of AF-related stroke and are due to have an operation or a medical/dental procedure that could cause bleeding, you might need to stop taking your anticoagulation therapy for a short period of time. 1, 2
It is important that your healthcare professional is aware that you are taking anticoagulation therapy, and you should tell them as soon as possible. He/she will advise you as to whether you need to stop your anticoagulation therapy prior to surgery and for how long.3 However, do not stop taking your anticoagulant unless your healthcare professional has told you to do so.
- Kristensen, SD. et al. ‘2014 ESC/ESA Guidelines on non-cardiac surgery: cardiovascular assessment and management’. Eur Heart J. 2014:35;2383-2431
- Steffel, J. et al. ‘The 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation’. Eur Heart J. 2018:39;1330–1393
- Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA). A Guide for Patients Prescribed Oral Anticoagulant Therapy. Available at: http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/files/files/A-A%20US/A%20Guide%20for%20Patients%20Prescribed%20Oral%20Anticoagulant%20Therapy%20A5.pdf. Last accessed: May 2018
FURTHER RESOURCES AND INFORMATION ON AF AND AF-RELATED STROKE
NICE patient decision aid for AF-related stroke therapy
National clinical guidelines on AF (NICE CG180) recommend that most people at risk of an AF-related stroke should be prescribed anticoagulation therapy.1 NICE has developed a patient decision aid to help people at risk of AF-related stroke decide if anticoagulation therapy is right for them (and which anticoagulant to take if they choose to do so).
Materials from patient groups on AF and AF-related stroke
Would you like to learn more about diagnosis, management and available therapies for AF and AF-related stroke? Further information on AF and AF-related stroke can be obtained from the following organisations and resources:
The AF Association
Anticoagulation UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Atrial Fibrillation: management. Clinical Guideline (CG180). June 2014. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG180. Last accessed: May 2018
