ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION AND STROKE PREVENTION IN THE COMMUNITY

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important and independent risk factor f or stroke, particularly in elderly people. The efficacy of treatment w ith warfarin and aspirin in primary and secondary stroke prevention in AF has been demonstrated in randomized clinical trials. In a demograp hic study, we examined the prevalence of AF in patients registered wit h a general practice in the North East of England; 91 patients with kn own AF were identified, 69 with chronic AF and 22 with paroxysmal AF. The mean duration of the arrhythmia was 6.43 years and the prevalence of AF increased with age. There was a high prevalence of cerebrovascul ar disease in AF patients. The majority of AF patients were not receiv ing therapy with aspirin or warfarin as primary or secondary stroke pr evention. If strategies for stroke prevention in AF are to be applied to the community, general practitioners will need to play a more activ e part.