Very High Risk (CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 3 or Greater)
High Risk (CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 2)
Moderate Risk (CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 1)
Low Risk (CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 0)
Stroke Prevention for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)
We partnered with the American College of Cardiology to develop a decision aid for patients considering stroke prevention options for atrial fibrillation. The decision aids are hosted on CardioSmart, and can be accessed by clicking the links to the left.
For most people with atrial fibrillation, blood thinners lower the risk of stroke. However, blood thinners (also called anticoagulants) can cause bleeding. Some people with a very high risk might consider a procedure called left atrial appendage closure that places a device in the heart to prevent strokes.
If you have atrial fibrillation, use this Stroke and Bleeding Risk Calculator together with the decision aids below to help you decide with your care team what treatment is right for you.
If you are living with atrial fibrillation and have:
Very High Risk for Stroke ( CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 3 or Greater): Use this decision aid to decide between treatment with blood thinners (warfarin or DOACs) or a left atrial appendage closure device.
High Risk for Stroke (CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 2): Use this decision aid to decide between no treatment and treatment with blood thinners (warfarin vs. DOACs).
Moderate Risk for Stroke(CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 1): Use this decision aid to decide between no treatment and treatment with blood thinners (warfarin vs. DOACs).
Low Risk for Stroke (CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Equal to 0): Use this decision aid to understand no treatment vs. treatment with blood thinners.
Supporting Evidence
Here is a document outlining all evidence for practice decision aids, to help you in your decision.