If you’ve experienced a stroke without a clear cause — what doctors call a cryptogenic stroke — you might wonder what happened and how to prevent it from happening again. One hidden culprit is atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots and further strokes. But AF doesn’t always show up on routine heart tests — it can hide for months or even years.
Ayhan Yoruk, MD, co-authored a research study at the University of Rochester Medical Center that reveals important clues about who is most likely to develop hidden AF after a cryptogenic stroke, and why long-term heart monitoring is so critical.
Why This Research Matters
After a stroke with no clear cause, guidelines recommend monitoring the heart for signs of AF. The challenge? AF can be silent, with no symptoms, and may only occur occasionally — making it hard to detect. Implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) offer a powerful solution, continuously recording heart rhythms for years.
The study looked at 293 patients who received an ICM (Medtronic LINQ) after a cryptogenic stroke, tracking them for up to 36 months.
Key Findings
- AF is More Common Than Many Realize
Within 3 years, 32% of patients developed AF that was detected only because of the implanted monitor. Without long-term monitoring, these dangerous rhythm problems could have been missed. - Age is the Biggest Predictor
Patients aged 70 and older had more than double the risk of developing AF compared to younger patients.- Hazard Ratio: 2.28
- P-value: 0.001 (highly significant)
- Risk Scores Still Matter—but Less Than Age
Researched also looked at the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score — a common tool for estimating stroke risk in AF patients. Higher scores were linked with more AF, but age alone was a stronger predictor.
What This Means for Patients
If you’ve had a cryptogenic stroke, especially if you’re over 70, you may benefit greatly from long-term heart monitoring. Even if your heart rhythm looks normal during a hospital stay or short-term monitoring, AF can develop later — and catching it early can be life-saving.
Next Steps if You’ve Had a Stroke
- Ask your doctor about implantable cardiac monitoring.
- Know your risk factors — age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and prior stroke all increase AF risk.
- Stay proactive — AF can be silent, but its consequences are serious.
The Heart Rhythm Clinic
At The Heart Rhythm Clinic, Dr. Ayhan Yoruk specializes in stroke prevention, heart rhythm monitoring, and comprehensive cardiovascular care. Dr. Yoruk works closely with patients to find hidden causes of stroke and create personalized treatment plans.
If you or a loved one has experienced a cryptogenic stroke, contact us today to see if long-term heart monitoring is right for you.
