Overview
It can be difficult for healthcare providers to efficiently diagnose PSP. They often mistake it for Parkinson’s disease, especially in the early stages. There’s no single test that can diagnose PSP. Providers usually diagnose PSP based on your symptoms and with imaging tests to take pictures of your brain.
If your healthcare provider suspects you have PSP, they’ll likely recommend a brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This will help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke. It may also show shrinking of your midbrain, which raises the likelihood of PSP.
You’ll likely need to see a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders to receive a diagnosis.
Although there are many symptoms of PSP, the one that often confirms the diagnosis is difficulty moving your eyes up and down. Other common symptoms like falling and difficulty swallowing also point to PSP.
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Symptoms
When to see a doctor
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.
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Living with atrial fibrillation?
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