FAQs A-Fib Drug Therapy: Chance of Stroke
“What are my chances of getting an A-Fib stroke?”
The incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation is 2-17 times greater than in the general population, dependent on the cause of AF and is also dependent on age, with older patients being at higher risk.
The Center for Shared Decision Making/Dartmouth-Hitchcock gives somewhat controversial odds of getting an A-Fib stroke depending on one’s overall heart health.
Under age 65 with no history of hypertension, stroke, arterial embolism, left ventricular dysfunction, or TIA:
• Chance of stroke in two years 2 out of 100
• Taking daily coated aspirin 1.5 out of 100
• Taking daily warfarin 1 out of 100
Age 65-75 with no history of hypertension, stroke, arterial embolism, left ventricular dysfunction, or TIA:
• Chance of stroke in two years 4 out of 100
• Taking daily coated aspirin 3 out of 100
• Taking daily warfarin 2 out of 100
Over age 75, or under age 75 with history of hypertension or left ventricular dysfunction:
• Chance of stroke in two years 12 out of 100
• Taking daily coated aspirin 9 out of 100
• Taking daily warfarin 4 out of 100
Any age with a history of TIA, stroke or arterial embolism, or over age 75 with a history of hypertension or left ventricular dysfunction:
• Chance of stroke 20 out of 100
CHADS2 Risk Assessment Tool
One simple, well-validated, points-based risk assessment tool is known by the acronym ‘CHADS2’. It’s widely used to assess individual patient risk for stroke. To read more see our article, The CHADS2 Stroke-Risk Grading System.
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Last updated: Monday, June 18, 2018