Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of arrhythmia that can lead to blood clots in the heart. AFib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly, and do not pump all of the blood to the lower chambers, causing some blood to pool and potentially form clots. If a clot breaks loose, it can travel through the bloodstream to the brain and lead to a stroke. AFib increases a person’s risk of stroke, and the prevalence is higher in people aged 65 and older.¹

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a blood clot that occurs in the vein. There are two types of VTE, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT occurs in the deep vein, usually in the leg, thigh, or pelvis. PE is when a blood clot forms and travels to the lungs, blocking blood supply. VTE is an underdiagnosed and serious, yet preventable medical condition that can cause disability and death.^2,3

Explore materials related to AFib and VTE below to learn more.

References:​​​​​​

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atrial Fibrillation. Accessed November 3, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm.
2. Goldhaber SZ, Bounameaux H. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Lancet. 2012;379:1835-1846.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Venous Thromboembolism. Accessed November 3, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/facts.html.