Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and stroke (cerebrovascular accidents) in males and females above and below age 65 on days of different geomagnetic activity levels

The goal of this study was to determine whether differences exist in the frequency of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and stroke (cerebro-vascular accident) on days of different geomagnetic activity levels. Geomagnetic activity was divided into four levels: quiet (1°), unsettled (II°), active (III°), and stormy (IV0). Measurements were made according to the six highest hourly geomagnetic parameters, in nanotesla units, over 24 hours. The study period covered 1185 consecutive days, from January 1990 to March 1993. All patients treated in the Admissions Department of a major multiprofile university hospital for stroke (cerebrovascular accident) (977 patients) or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (653 patients) were included. Groups were also divided by sex and age (<65 years vs.> 65 years) for comparison.