The Figure shows the scoring for the principal risk factors in the CHADS₂ scoring system. [38] [39] These are the factors that are added to the presence of AFib to calculate the risk for a future stroke, including: 

• older age – CHADS₂ uses an age of >75 years, but in fact the risk begins at age 65
• hypertension (either a history of elevated blood pressure or treatment for hypertension)
• diabetes mellitus
• left ventricular (LV) dysfunction
• prior embolism,
• rheumatic valve disease or the presence of mechanical valve protheses.  

Each of these risk markers gets 1 point, except prior stroke or transient (cerebral) ischemic attack (TIA), which gets 2 points, and the higher the total point score, the greater the risk for a future stroke.