A 12-lead ECG was performed to look
for left ventricular hypertrophy or
arrhythmias. Both of which are suggestive
of unrecognised chronic hypertension
which is an important risk factors
for stroke (Solenski, 2004). The
National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence (NICE) (2006) states that
atrial fibrillation is an independent predictor
of stroke, with an annual risk
that is 5–6 times higher than for patients
with regular sinus rhythm. Reassuringly,
Patient A’s ECG did not display
any abnormality.