A new way of detecting a common heart condition that increases the risk of a stroke has been developed. While it is not life-threatening, an irregular heartbeat known as ‘atrial fibrillation’ raises the chances of suffering a stroke by up to five times. Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK have identified 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 UEA team has created a simple tool for doctors to use in practice to identify those at high risk. They hope it will help diagnose and treat more patients, reducing their risk of future strokes.
