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Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases stroke risk by about five-fold. However numerous factors influence each AF patient’s risk of stroke, including a history of congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack; being at least 75 years of age; and, according to a new study, being female.

A meta-analysis of 17 studies revealed that women with AF were 31 per cent more likely to have a stroke than men with arrhythmia. Women aged 75 years and over accounted for most of the increased risk – they were 28 per cent more likely to have a stroke than men of the same age with AF. The increased risk of stroke in women emerged in those receiving (29 per cent) and not taking (49 per cent) oral anticoagulation.

The results underscore the importance of identifying and treating AF patients at the highest stroke risk, say the authors. (QJM)