People who suffer a stroke and also have an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation are at higher risk of developing dementia than stroke survivors without the heart condition.
People who suffer a stroke and also have an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation are at higher risk of developing dementia than stroke survivors without the heart condition.
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in older patients, but it has been unclear whether the arrhythmia is a major risk factor for dementia. The likelihood of atrial fibrillation increases with age, and it is a significant risk factor for stroke.
Researchers gathered data on 46,637 people, average age 72 years, who took part in 15 separate studies. In this analysis, researchers analysed data from studies not necessarily designed to evaluate the specific outcomes these researchers were interested in. The goal is to identify any significant trends. In this case, the pooled data showed that people who survive a stroke and who also have atrial fibrillation are 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia, compared with stroke survivors without this irregular heart beat.
In all, about 25 percent of patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation developed dementia during follow-up. Strategies are therefore needed to reduce this excess dementia risk in stroke patients. This may include steps such as better control of the arrhythmia and more effective prevention of clots.
The researchers were unable to determine whether people with atrial fibrillation but no stroke history are at a high risk for dementia. In wider populations that involve patients who do not have stroke, atrial fibrillation does not seem to be a major contributor to the risk of dementia. Many factors other than atrial fibrillation probably contribute to dementia.
In the stroke population, atrial fibrillation appears to have a major role in contributing to dementia, and clinicians should concentrate their efforts on tackling this, in addition to any associated cardiovascular risk factors.
Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in older patients, but it has been unclear whether the arrhythmia is a major risk factor for dementia. The likelihood of atrial fibrillation increases with age, and it is a significant risk factor for stroke.
Researchers gathered data on 46,637 people, average age 72 years, who took part in 15 separate studies. In this analysis, researchers analysed data from studies not necessarily designed to evaluate the specific outcomes these researchers were interested in. The goal is to identify any significant trends. In this case, the pooled data showed that people who survive a stroke and who also have atrial fibrillation are 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia, compared with stroke survivors without this irregular heart beat.
In all, about 25 percent of patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation developed dementia during follow-up. Strategies are therefore needed to reduce this excess dementia risk in stroke patients. This may include steps such as better control of the arrhythmia and more effective prevention of clots.
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The researchers were unable to determine whether people with atrial fibrillation but no stroke history are at a high risk for dementia. In wider populations that involve patients who do not have stroke, atrial fibrillation does not seem to be a major contributor to the risk of dementia. Many factors other than atrial fibrillation probably contribute to dementia.
In the stroke population, atrial fibrillation appears to have a major role in contributing to dementia, and clinicians should concentrate their efforts on tackling this, in addition to any associated cardiovascular risk factors.
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