Reducing Stroke Risk: New Tool Predicts Atrial Fibrillation in High-Risk Patients

London: Researchers from the University of East Anglia have developed a new method to identify patients who are at risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can increase the risk of stroke.

The method uses four key factors to predict the likelihood of atrial fibrillation:

• Advancing age
• Elevated diastolic blood pressure
• Problems with coordination and function in the upper left heart chamber
• History of stroke

The researchers developed a user-friendly tool for physicians to use to quickly identify high-risk patients. This will lead to better diagnosis and treatment, which can help to reduce the risk of future strokes.

The study was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The researchers analyzed data from 323 stroke patients with an unidentified cause. They found that the four factors mentioned above were associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation within three years of the stroke.

The new method could help to identify patients who are at risk of atrial fibrillation and who may benefit from early treatment. This could help to prevent strokes and improve patient outcomes.