What are the independent predictors of stroke risk?
A systematic review of stroke risk factors has found that prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), hypertension, aging, structural heart disease, and diabetes are independent predictors of stroke. Supportive evidence was found for sex and vascular disease. Nonparoxysmal AF is associated with a highly significant increase in thromboembolism, and HF is an independent predictor of stroke/thromboembolism, mortality, and other clinical outcomes in individuals with AF. Additionally, CKD is an independent predictor of risk of stroke/thromboembolism, with a 0.41% (0.17%-0.65%) annual increase in rate for a 10 mL/min decrease in renal function.