A common irregular and often rapid heart rhythm is known as atrial fibrillation or A Fib. Roughly 2.2 million Americans are suffering from some form of heart rhythm disorder. In atrial fibrillation the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) vibrate irregularly instead of beating effectively. Blood is also not pumped fully out of them so it may clot more readily. A patient can suffer a stroke if a fragment of clotted blood in the atria leaves the heart and lodges in an artery in the brain. Doctors have known for years about the link between atrial fibrillation and strokes.

A segment of the population requires antipsychotic drugs to manage various mental health symptoms. A recent British study has reported that individuals that take antipsychotic medications have almost two times the risk of developing a stroke than those not taking these medications. This risk of stroke is about 3.5 times higher for study subjects who display dementia.  Study investigators concluded that physicians should only use these drugs as a final option.