Researchers have developed a new way of identifying patients at risk of an irregular heartbeat, known as 'atrial fibrillation'. While not life threatening, the condition increases people's risk of having a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke by up to five times. A new study reveals four specific factors that can predict which patients will have atrial fibrillation. These include older age, higher diastolic blood pressure and problems with both the coordination and function of the upper left chamber of the heart. The team went on to create an easy tool for doctors to use in practice to identify those at high risk. And they hope that this will help diagnose and treat more patients, reducing their risk of future strokes.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed a new way of identifying patients at risk of an irregular heartbeat, known as 'atrial fibrillation'.
These include older age, higher diastolic blood pressure and problems with both the coordination and function of the upper left chamber of the heart. Lead researcher Prof Vassilios Vassiliou, from UEA's Norwich Medical School and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said:"Identifying who is at high risk and more likely to develop atrial fibrillation is very important."This is because it requires specific treatment with anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, to reduce the risk of future strokes.
The research team collected data from 323 patients across the East of England, treated at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who had had a stroke with no cause identified- known as Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.
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