What is the most common arrhythmia associated with increased risk of stroke?

Atrial fibrillation is recognized as the most common arrhythmia associated with an increased risk of stroke. This is primarily due to the irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can cause blood to pool in the atria. When blood pools, especially in the left atrium, it can lead to the formation of blood clots. If these clots dislodge, they can travel to the brain, resulting in an ischemic stroke.

Patients with atrial fibrillation are put at a significantly higher risk for stroke compared to those with normal heart rhythms. The condition is particularly concerning because it can be asymptomatic, meaning individuals may not be aware of their increased risk without regular monitoring.

In contrast, other arrhythmias like ventricular tachycardia and bradycardia do not generally carry the same level of stroke risk because they do not lead to the same pooling of blood within the chambers of the heart. Supraventricular tachycardia can cause rapid heart rates but does not have the same association with thrombus formation and subsequent strokes as atrial fibrillation does. Therefore, atrial fibrillation stands out as the primary arrhythmia linked to an elevated risk of stroke.