What medical condition can be a precursor to stroke due to embolism?

Atrial fibrillation is indeed a significant precursor to stroke due to its tendency to promote the formation of blood clots within the heart. In this condition, the heart's atria do not contract effectively, leading to stagnant blood flow, especially in the left atrial appendage. This stagnation can result in the formation of thrombi, which are clots that can dislodge and travel to the brain, causing an embolic stroke. The risk of stroke increases substantially in patients with atrial fibrillation, making it a critical focus for management and prevention strategies in stroke care.

While coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cholesterol dysregulation are important cardiovascular risk factors and can contribute to stroke risk through different mechanisms, they do not directly lead to embolic strokes in the same way that atrial fibrillation does. Coronary artery disease primarily affects blood supply to the heart muscle, hypertension can lead to hemorrhagic strokes, and cholesterol dysregulation can contribute to atherosclerotic disease, which typically leads to thrombosis rather than embolism.