New research from the University of California San Francisco has revealed that atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), a potentially life-threatening heart condition characterised by a rapid and irregular heartbeat, affects a staggering 10.5 million adults in the US, approximately 5% of the population.
The rising prevalence of A-Fib is attributed to the ageing population and growing rates of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
The condition can lead to stroke or sudden death, the study noted.
“Atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of mortality, is one of the most common causes of stroke, increases risks of heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease and dementia, and results in lower quality of life,” said first author Jean Jacques Noubiap, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar at UCSF with a speciality in global cardiovascular health.
“Fortunately, atrial fibrillation is preventable, and early detection and appropriate treatment can substantially reduce its adverse outcomes,” he added.
A recent study by UCSF investigators analysed the medical records of approximately 30 million adult patients in California who received acute or procedural care between 2005 and 2019.
The researchers found that: Around 2 million patients (6.67%) had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib).
Research has shown that individuals with A-Fib are up to five times more likely to experience a stroke.
The current analysis is based on medical records and diagnoses, but digital technologies such as wearable devices, mobile apps, and electronic health records may uncover even more cases of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib).
“With the growing use of consumer wearables designed to detect atrial fibrillation combined with safer and more effective means to treat it, this current prevalence of atrial fibrillation in health care settings may soon be dwarfed by future health care utilization that will occur due to the disease,” Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, a cardiologist and electrophysiologist at UCSF Health said.
Atrial fibrillation, also known as A-Fib, is a potentially fatal cardiac condition that causes an irregular and fast heartbeat. According to recent research from the University of California, San Francisco, it affects 102.5 million adults in the US, or roughly 5% of the population. The aging population and rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are to blame for the increasing prevalence of A-Fib. According to the study, the illness may cause a stroke or unexpected death.
UCSF postdoctoral scholar Jean Jacques Noubiap, MD, PhD, the study’s first author, stated that atrial fibrillation “doubles the risk of mortality, is one of the most common causes of stroke, increases risks of heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, and dementia, and results in lower quality of life.”.
“Thankfully, atrial fibrillation is avoidable, and proper treatment and early identification can significantly lessen its unfavorable consequences,” he continued.
Researchers from UCSF recently examined the medical records of almost 30 million adult Californians who had acute or outpatient treatment between 2005 and 2019. The investigators discovered that.
Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) has been diagnosed in about 2 million patients, or 6.667% of all patients.
From 4 point 49 percent of patients treated between 2005 and 2009 to 6 point 82 percent of patients treated between 2015 and 2019, the prevalence of A-Fib rose significantly over the study period.
Heart failure, stroke, blood clots, and lightheadedness are just a few of the severe complications that can result from atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), a dangerous disorder that can cause a variety of potentially fatal side effects. A-Fib sufferers have an increased risk of stroke by up to five times, according to research.
Based on medical records and diagnoses, the current analysis may find additional cases of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib). However, digital technologies like wearables, mobile apps, and electronic health records may reveal alternative cases.
Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, an electrophysiologist and cardiologist at UCSF Health, stated that “the current prevalence of atrial fibrillation in health care settings may soon be dwarfed by future health care utilization that will occur due to the disease.” This is because atrial fibrillation can now be detected and treated more safely and effectively thanks to the growing use of consumer wearables.
