Stroke risk increased in early stages of kidney disease
29/7/2010
Older people in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk of having a stroke, according to a new study.
It has long been known that end-stage CKD increases the likelihood of experiencing an atrial fibrillation, but researchers from the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have established that the same incidence rate is experienced by those with early-stage CKD.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the general population and is known as a major risk factor for stroke, the study notes.
The researchers' findings were published in the American Heart Journal, with lead author Dr Elsayed Soliman saying that this issue needs urgent attention in medical practice.
He added: "Atrial fibrillation and CKD are common diseases in older populations.
"Essentially, more and more people are falling into the high risk category and we need to do everything we can to minimise this risk."
Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of having a stroke five-fold, according to the Stroke Center.