ARDS

Overview

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lung injury that happens when fluids build up in small air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. ARDS prevents your lungs from filling up with air and causes dangerously low oxygen levels in your blood (hypoxia). Healthcare providers typically diagnose a person as having mild, moderate or severe respiratory distress syndrome. They determine that level by comparing the level of oxygen in your blood with the amount of oxygen that needs to be given to achieve a healthy blood oxygen level.

ARDS prevents other organs such as your brain, heart, kidneys and stomach from getting the oxygen they need to function. ARDS is dangerous and can lead to several serious and life-threatening problems.

ARDS typically happens when a person is in the hospital receiving treatment for an infection, illness or trauma. If you’re not hospitalized and experience symptoms of ARDS, get medical attention immediately.

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Symptoms

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Diagnosis & treatment

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