SCOTT'S STORY HEART MONITORING FOR UNEXPLAINED STROKE

SCOTT'S UNEXPLAINED STROKE STORY

At 22 years old, suffering a stroke is the last thing on your mind.

On his way to a soccer game, 22-year-old Scott Thompson suddenly began wobbling. His head started throbbing. What he thought was dehydration turned out to be much worse. The college student had suffered a stroke. Surgeons removed a blood clot in his brain, but a looming question remained: What caused the stroke in this seemingly healthy young man?

Scott’s doctors suspected it was the result of an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib) — believed to be responsible for many strokes without a known cause (also called cryptogenic strokes).

Because AF often has no symptoms and can occur infrequently, conventional short-term heart monitors may not detect it. So Scott’s doctors turned to Reveal LINQ ICM, a miniaturized, wireless cardiac monitor — one-third the size of a AAA battery. They inserted it discreetly under the skin of Scott’s chest during a simple outpatient procedure. The monitor continuously recorded Scott’s heart activity and, within a few months, confirmed he had AFib.

The diagnosis not only gave Scott’s doctors the information they needed to prescribe stroke-preventive blood thinners, it gave Scott the peace of mind to live life fully again.

This story reflects one person's experience. Not every person will receive the same results. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.