1) Which of the following best describes what atrial fibrillation is?
A) A type of irregular heartbeat
B) A type of heart attack
C) A type of cancer
D) A type of orthopedic injury
2) Atrial fibrillation is not only a problem for the heart, but is also a risk factor for stroke.
A) True
B) False
3) Which of these is not a risk factor for atrial fibrillation?
A) Hypertension
B) Diabetes
C) Hypothyroidism
D) Congestive heart failure
4) What age group is at greatest risk for atrial fibrillation?
A) Under 25
B) Between 25 and 45
C) Between 45 and 65
D) Over 65
5) What is the most effective treatment for preventing strokes related to atrial fibrillation?
A) Open-heart surgery
B) Lowering your cholesterol
C) Anticoagulants, often called blood-thinners
D) Regular, rigorous exercise
6) How serious is AF?
A) AF is usually not life-threatening if it is properly diagnosed and treated.
B) AF almost always leads to stroke even if treated.
C) AF almost always results in damage to the heart muscle even if treated.
D) AF is often life-threatening condition even when properly diagnosed and treated.
7) How effective are medications in controlling or preventing atrial fibrillation?
A) Medications are rarely effective in controlling or preventing atrial fibrillation.
B) Medications are almost always effective in controlling or preventing atrial fibrillaton.
C) The most effective medications prevent episodes of atrial fibrillation in about 50 to 60 percent of patients.
D) the most effective medications prevent episodes of atrial fibrillation in about 25 percent of patients.
8) What is the success rate of the cardiac catheter ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation?
A) Catheter ablation is successful in about 95 percent of patients.
B) Catheter ablation is successful in about 60 to 70 percent of patients.
C) Catheter ablation is successful in about 25 percent of patients.
D) Catheter ablation is successful in about 35 percent of patients.
9) How common is AFib?
A) It is a rare condition affecting only a few hundred thousand Americans.
B) It is a growing problem affecting at least 2.2 million Americans.
C) It affects most people over the age of 65.
D) It only affects the oldest among us -- those over the age of 80.
10) Which statement is NOT true?
A) There is no minimally invasive surgical procedure to cure afib.
B) There is a procedure, known as a Maze that can be done along with traditional open heart surgery. It involves making cuts or burns to the atria to create scar tissue to reduce the chances of chaotic electrical activity in the area.
C)There is a minimally invasive procedure, called a MiniMaze, in which cuts or burns are made to the atria to create scar tissue to reduce the chances of chaotic electrical activity in the area. It allows the same result as the Maze without full open heart surgery.
Answers: 1. A, 2. A, 3. C, 4. D, 5. C, 6. A, 7. C, 8. B, 9. B, 10. C
Above content provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.
Posted February 2010