Originally published September 28 2005
Stroke risk higher in women with atrial fibrillation
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Women with atrial fibrillation, rapid irregular heart contractions, who are not on anticoagulant therapy, are more likely than men with the same condition to suffer an ischemic stroke, according to research findings in the September 20 issue of Circulation.
Using a sample of 13,559 patients with atrial fibrillation, or rapid irregular contractions of the heart, researchers compared the rates of ischemic stroke between men and women and examined the efficacy and complications associated with a common blood thinner, Warfarin.
Warfarin is well known to be effective in reducing the risk of stroke in persons with atrial fibrillation; however prior studies have provided conflicting evidence about whether women with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk for stroke than men when not taking blood thinners.
"The research from this study clearly shows that gender plays a role in ischemic stroke risk and occurrence," said lead author Margaret Fang, MD, MPH, assistant adjunct professor of medicine, and hospitalist at UCSF Medical Center.
The higher incidence of stroke in women not taking Warfarin therapy occurred among women in all stroke-risk-factor categories, including those with prior stroke, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and diabetes.
Because of the significant differences in the rate of stroke between men and women, the study indicates that being a woman is an independent risk factor for stroke and should be considered when choosing treatment options for women with atrial fibrillation.
According to the researchers, atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and a major risk factor for both ischemic stroke and peripheral embolism, an obstruction of the blood supply to an organ.
Anticoagulation therapies, such as Warfarin, are well known to substantially reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation-related stroke and embolism, but also have been shown to increase the risk for hemorrhage.
"Because of this increased hemorrhage risk, physicians are sometimes hesitant to prescribe the drug, and some studies have shown that women are less likely to receive warfarin therapy than men," Fang said.
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