Which is a common risk factor for ischemic stroke?

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Multiple Choice

Which is a common risk factor for ischemic stroke?

Atrial fibrillation causes irregular, ineffective atrial contractions that promote blood pooling in the atria, especially the left atrial appendage. This stasis allows clots to form; if one breaks off, it can travel to cerebral arteries and block blood flow, producing an ischemic stroke. Because these emboli come from the heart, atrial fibrillation is a common and important risk factor for ischemic stroke, and its presence often changes prevention strategies to include anticoagulation. By contrast, smoking and hyperlipidemia mainly raise stroke risk through atherosclerosis, and being under 40 is not a common risk factor for ischemic stroke.

Atrial fibrillation causes irregular, ineffective atrial contractions that promote blood pooling in the atria, especially the left atrial appendage. This stasis allows clots to form; if one breaks off, it can travel to cerebral arteries and block blood flow, producing an ischemic stroke. Because these emboli come from the heart, atrial fibrillation is a common and important risk factor for ischemic stroke, and its presence often changes prevention strategies to include anticoagulation. By contrast, smoking and hyperlipidemia mainly raise stroke risk through atherosclerosis, and being under 40 is not a common risk factor for ischemic stroke.

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