Having a stroke means you are at greater risk for having a recurrent, or repeat, stroke. At least 1 in 4 Americans who have a stroke will experience another stroke within their lifetime.3 Finding and managing the risk factors of your stroke will help your physician take steps to minimize the risk of having a recurrent stroke.
Download resources on detecting and managing chronic conditions that could increase your chances of a first or recurrent stroke.
In some cases, despite testing during the hospital stay, the cause of a stroke cannot be determined. This is what is known as a “cryptogenic” stroke or a stroke of unknown cause.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a major risk factor for stroke. It’s a common condition in which the upper chambers of the heart beat very fast and irregularly. As a result, blood is not pumped effectively to the rest of the body and may pool and clot. If a clot dislodges, it can travel to the brain and result in a stroke.
People with AFib are five times more likely to have a stroke.2
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AFib was detected in 30% of cryptogenic stroke patients up to 3 years after their first stroke.2
Sanna T, Diener HC, Passman RS, et al. Cryptogenic Stroke and Underlying Atrial Fibrillation (CRYSTAL AF). N Engl J Med. June 26, 2014;370(26):2478-2486.
Stroke: a global response is needed. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 94(9), 634-634A. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.16.181636