Patients with atrial fibrillation (AT) are at a greater risk of developing stroke compared to others. Although statins are commonly used to treat AT, little is known about their role in reducing the risk of stroke in these patients. A recent study investigated the effectiveness of initiating statins within one year of AT diagnosis in lowering the risks of stroke.
Researchers analyzed data of 11,866 statin users and 39,606 non-users with AT (Median age – 75 years) from the Hong Kong Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System. Stain users exhibited reduced risks of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism (17%), hemorrhagic stroke (7%), and transient ischemic attack (15%). In addition, patients who were on statins for six years or more displayed lower risks of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism (43%), hemorrhagic stroke (44%), and transient ischemic attack (42%) compared to patients who…
