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= Paid-up subscribersStrokes have declined but atrial fibrillation is still undertreated
22 Nov 2011
Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Primary care has a central role to play in prevention with the identification and management of hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes. A recent study has found that both the incidence of stroke and stroke deaths declined significantly over the past decade in the UK. This was accompanied by a notable increase in GP prescribing for primary and secondary prevention which is likely to have been a major contributing factor, the study authors conclude. However, the study also found underuse of anticoagulants in patients with AF at high risk of stroke, particularly in women.
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