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Abstract
CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF is a stroke risk stratification system for cardiovascular disease. While it has utility in predicting overt stroke, it is unclear whether CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF is associated with subtle sequelae in covert stroke, which has implications for future stroke and cognitive decline. The current study examined associations between CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF, white matter lesions (WMH), cortical thickness, and cognition (executive function and processing speed) in 83 older adults. It was hypothesized that greater WMH and cortical thinning would be associated with higher stroke risk; CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF would be associated with worse cognitive performance; and there would be an indirect effect between CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF and cognitive performance via WMH and cortical thinning. We found stroke risk to be associated with worse cognitive performance and cortical thinning. WMH was not associated with stroke risk. WMH volume was associated with worse cognitive function and cortical thinning. Overall, these findings support the validity of the CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF in lower-risk older adults.