Blood tests can reveal stroke risk

With a simple blood test, it is possible to detect which individuals with atrial fibrillation are at the highest risk of suffering a stroke, according to a new Swedish study.

» Updated: August 22 2024

» Published: August 13 2024

Blood tests can reveal stroke risk
Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT

Share this article

It's about the subject of neurofilament – a protein that is released from the brain in the event of harmful strain and oxygen deficiency – which researchers have now investigated.

In the study, they followed over 3,000 people with atrial fibrillation and found that individuals with the highest levels of neurofilament in their blood also had the highest risk of suffering a stroke. The risk of being affected was three times higher among the quarter of the group with the highest levels compared to those with the lowest.

Atrial fibrillation affects a third of all people at some point in their lives and is a common cause of stroke.

Many with atrial fibrillation are treated with blood-thinning medication to prevent stroke, but this treatment also involves an increased risk of serious bleeding. Researchers hope that the new discovery can lead to patients with atrial fibrillation receiving care that is better tailored to their needs.

"Since the risk of suffering a stroke determines what type of treatment is suitable, this can contribute to increasing the precision of the choice of treatment," says Julia Aulin, a cardiologist at Akademiska Hospital and researcher at Uppsala University, who is the lead author of the study, in a press release.

The next step will be to investigate how different treatments affect neurofilament levels.

"The hope is that we will be able to intervene earlier in the process and slow down the harmful strain on the brain before it gives rise to symptoms," says Julia Aulin.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime
1 MIN READ

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless
2 MIN READ

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election
2 MIN READ

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict
3 MIN READ

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate
2 MIN READ

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns After Fatal Plane Crash in Norrtälje
2 MIN READ

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns After Fatal Plane Crash in Norrtälje

Suspect at Large After Alby Subway Shooting Incident
1 MIN READ

Suspect at Large After Alby Subway Shooting Incident

Experts Warn Against Unnecessary Menopause Tests and Treatments
3 MIN READ

Experts Warn Against Unnecessary Menopause Tests and Treatments

Mohamsson Criticizes Busch's Call to Move Swedish Embassy to Jerusalem
1 MIN READ

Mohamsson Criticizes Busch's Call to Move Swedish Embassy to Jerusalem

Woman Falls from Balcony in Helsingborg; Man Arrested for Attempted Murder
1 MIN READ

Woman Falls from Balcony in Helsingborg; Man Arrested for Attempted Murder

Explosion Reported at Järfälla Apartment Building
1 MIN READ

Explosion Reported at Järfälla Apartment Building

Explosion Reported at Row House in Södertälje, Police Investigate
1 MIN READ

Explosion Reported at Row House in Södertälje, Police Investigate

Woman Found Dead in Helsingborg Apartment Man Arrested
1 MIN READ

Woman Found Dead in Helsingborg Apartment Man Arrested

Russian Signal Disruptions Threaten Air Safety in Europe
1 MIN READ

Russian Signal Disruptions Threaten Air Safety in Europe

Gothenburg Data Breach Exposes Personal Info of 165,000 Residents
1 MIN READ

Gothenburg Data Breach Exposes Personal Info of 165,000 Residents

Uppsala Doctor's Sentence Increased for Rapes and Sexual Assaults
1 MIN READ

Uppsala Doctor's Sentence Increased for Rapes and Sexual Assaults

Man Seriously Injured in Alby Subway Shooting Near Stockholm
1 MIN READ

Man Seriously Injured in Alby Subway Shooting Near Stockholm

Heavy Rain Hits Jönköping Prompting Rescue Service Alerts
1 MIN READ

Heavy Rain Hits Jönköping Prompting Rescue Service Alerts

Small Plane Crash in Lake Limmaren Kills Two Experienced Pilots
2 MIN READ

Small Plane Crash in Lake Limmaren Kills Two Experienced Pilots

SOS Alarm Alerts Public to Fake SMS About Important Messages
1 MIN READ

SOS Alarm Alerts Public to Fake SMS About Important Messages