Clinical review prevents thousands of strokes

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting more than one million people in the UK. The abnormal rhythm prevents the heart from pumping effectively allowing blood to pool in the upper chambers called the atria. This pooling can result in the formation of a clot which can break loose and cause a stroke. 

Patients with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke, and when a stroke is related to AF there are increased levels of mortality, morbidity, disability, and longer hospital stays. Around 7,000 strokes and 2,000 deaths could be prevented every year through effective detection of AF, and protection with the right anticoagulant drugs. Multiple audits across the UK have confirmed that anticoagulant medications used to reduce the risk of AF-related stroke are under-prescribed.1 

Professor Mark Baker, NICE’s (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) director of clinical practice, has commented on the importance of stroke prevention for AF patients, saying: “We know that AF increases the risk of strokes by up to five times. It’s estimated that the condition causes around 12,500 strokes each year. We also know that around 7,000 strokes and 2,000 premature deaths could be avoided every year through effective detection and protection with anticoagulant drugs that prevent blood clots forming.”2