Gallstones

Overview

If you’re experiencing gallstone symptoms, your healthcare provider will investigate with blood tests and imaging tests. Blood tests can detect inflammation, infection or jaundice and offer clues to which organs are affected. Imaging tests will help locate the source of the blockage in your biliary tract.

What tests can detect gallstones?

Your provider will begin with an abdominal ultrasound, which is a quick and easy test that doesn’t require any preparation. An ultrasound can find most gallstones in and around your gallbladder. But if a gallstone is stuck somewhere else in your biliary tract, you may need another kind of test to find it.

Other possible tests include:

MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography).
HIDA scan.
Endoscopic ultrasound.
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography).

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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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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