Stroke patients with AF ‘face greater dementia risk’

New research has discovered a link between cases of atrial fibrillation (AF) among stroke patients and an increased risk of dementia.

Scientists from the University of East Anglia have published a report in the journal Neurology which assessed the link between AF and the onset of dementia using data from 46,637 patients.

It was found that stroke survivors with AF were 2.4 times more likely to later develop a neurodegenerative disease than those stroke patients who were not affected by the heart condition.

Although research assessing dementia risk among AF sufferers who had not had strokes was inconclusive, the team nevertheless suggested the research reveals new insights into possible ways of combating dementia.

Study author Dr Phyo Kyaw Myint said: "Options could include more rigorous management of cardiovascular risk factors or of atrial fibrillation, particularly in stroke patients."

Responding to the findings, Rebecca Wood of Alzheimer's Research UK told BBC News that more studies are needed to shed further light on this link.