The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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[corrected] Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for ischaemic stroke. Anticoagulation treatment with warfarin can substantially reduce the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation but concerns about their side-effects have limited their use in clinical practice. However there has been little population-based research on the comorbidity associated with atrial fibrillation and on the prevalence of potential contraindications to anticoagulantion treatment among these patients. ⋯ Atrial fibrillation is associated with a substantial increase in the prevalence of risk factors for ischaemic stroke. By contrast, potential contraindications for antithrombotic treatment are more evenly distributed among patients with and without atrial fibrillation. Around 40% of patients with atrial fibrillation in primary care are at high risk of stroke and have no contraindicationsfor antithrombotic treatment.