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About atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm problem.
It affects more than 2 million people in North America.
It is more common in older age and it is found in 18%
individuals aged 85 years and older. It is a common cause
of major strokes. About 15% of all strokes are caused by
atrial fibrillation.
The elderly, or those with high blood pressure, diabetes or
heart disease are more likely to get a stroke if they have
atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is a rhythm problem that can last from a few
minutes, to days or weeks and even years. Atrial fibrillation
can cause blood clots in the upper chambers of the heart
(the atria). These clots can break off and flow to the brain
causing a stroke.
With the right treatment the chance of stroke can be
reduced by two-thirds.
Special Function (cont.)
Determine the proper arm and inter-arm
difference
If the blood pressure difference between two arms is more
than 20mmHg for Systolic or 10mmHg for Diastolic at all three
measurements, the device indicates the arm with the higher
blood pressure value by displaying L or R and the “IAD” icon.
The “IAD” icon and readings of the higher arm flash to indicate
that more attention is needed as this patient might have
peripheral arterial disease.
IAD
SCREEN
IAD
L
