- Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence increases with age, with over 1/3 of patients over 80 years old. It is associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality.
- Common risk factors for AF include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, sleep apnea, smoking, and excessive alcohol use.
- The CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to stratify stroke risk and determine need for anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular AF. Warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban are recommended for stroke prevention depending on stroke risk and renal function.
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