How does AFib raise stroke risk?
In AFib, the heart’s upper chambers quiver instead of contracting cleanly, which lets blood pool and clots form. If a clot travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. This is why AFib is managed with stroke risk in mind, not just symptom relief. Learn the basics in our atrial fibrillation explainer.Does occasional AFib still count?
Yes. Even paroxysmal (come-and-go) AFib carries stroke risk, and because episodes can be brief or silent, they’re easy to miss. That’s exactly why intermittent symptoms are worth documenting — a recording during an episode gives your doctor something concrete to act on.What triggers an AFib episode?
Triggers vary by person but commonly include alcohol (especially binge drinking), excess caffeine, dehydration, poor sleep or sleep apnea, illness, stress, and intense exertion. Keeping a symptom-and-rhythm log can help you and your doctor spot your personal patterns.How does home monitoring help?
A personal single-lead EKG can capture the rhythm the moment you feel “off,” turning a fleeting episode into a shareable trace. It’s a screening and documentation aid — not a diagnosis — so any AFib-like recording should prompt a clinical evaluation rather than self-treatment. See how a personal EKG works.What should I do if I catch a suspicious rhythm?
Save the recording, note the date, time, and how you felt, and contact your doctor. Don’t wait for symptoms to “prove” themselves — documented episodes are valuable, and your doctor decides on any next steps. The SonoHealth EKGraph is designed to record and share traces with your provider.Related: Atrial Fibrillation Explained · Heart Palpitations · When to See a Doctor About Your Heart · Home EKG Monitoring