Intracranial Venous Malformations

Because you may not have symptoms with intracranial venous malformations, your healthcare team might find that you have the condition during testing for other neurological problems.

You might have these imaging tests to diagnose other neurological conditions:

CT scan. A CT scan creates a series of X-rays to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the blood vessels and the brain. Sometimes dye is injected into a vein to assess the brain tissue or the blood vessels in greater detail. This is known as CT angiogram or CT venogram.
MRI. Magnetic and radio waves create detailed 3D images of your blood vessels and brain. Sometimes a contrast dye is injected into a vein to look at the brain tissue in a different way, and to evaluate your blood vessels.
MRA. Magnetic resonance angiography is another type of MRI test that focuses on the arteries. An MRA shows how the blood flows through the blood vessels in the brain.
MRV. Magnetic resonance venogram is a type of MRI that focuses on the veins.

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 Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.