Sweden: Research Teams Discover Blood Test to Identify Stroke, A-Fib Risk

Interesting research article posted today on News Medical  titled Blood Test Can Help Identify People at Increased Risk of Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke, explained the genetic risks found in people with atrial fibrillation and stroke. A research group at Lund University in Sweden, in conjunction with other research organizations, have identified twelve genetic variants in the human genome that increase the risk of atrial fibrillation.

“One in five people have a genetic weakness that means they have twice as high a risk of developing atrial fibrillation as those with a low genetic risk. This genetic risk is therefore one of the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation that we know of in people without overt cardiac disease. It increases the risk as much as high blood pressure, for example”, said Olle Melander, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Gustav Smith, Associate Professor in Cardiology, both from Lund University. “It can be important for doctors to look at their genetic predisposition using a blood test. The test can give guidance as to how often and how intensively doctors need to screen for presence of atrial fibrillation in these individuals. We also consider that more widespread treatment of high blood pressure may be justified in those with a high genetic risk of atrial fibrillation.”

Atrial fibrillation occurring in an individual  is a high stroke risk and lifelong treatment with anticoagulant drugs are required in order to lower the risk.

“The present results are one of several examples of how genetics research is not only an effective way of identifying new disease mechanisms, but can also have clinical applications and help doctors and patients to decide on the right tests and treatment”, said Melander.

To view the full write up of the article, click here.

Photo Credit – Lund University 

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