Ace the Hemisphere IV Stroke Response Challenge 2026 – Think Fast, Save Lives!

After an acute stroke, the brain’s autonomic control over the heart can become unstable, leading to electrical disturbances in the heart. In the first few days, about a quarter of patients develop cardiac rhythm problems, and atrial fibrillation is the most common among them. This makes arrhythmias including AF the best answer for the observed early cardiac complication.

While a myocardial infarction can occur, it is not the typical early event in this context and doesn’t happen in about 25% of patients within 72 hours. Heart failure is not universal in stroke patients. Pulmonary embolism can happen but is not seen in the majority within 24 hours.