Millions of people are at risk from the ‘silent killer’, a disease that can cause stroke or sudden death

Atrial fibrillation causes an irregular and often very rapid heartbeat.

A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, found that atrial fibrillation (AF), a potentially fatal heart condition characterized by a rapid, irregular heartbeat, affects 10.5 million adults in the United States, or about 5 percent of the population. The increasing prevalence of AF is attributed to an aging population and rising rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. The condition can lead to stroke or sudden death, the study said.

“Atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of mortality, is one of the most common causes of stroke, increases the risks of heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease and dementia, and leads to a reduced quality of life,” said first author Jean Jacques Noubiap, MD, PhD, a UCSF postdoctoral researcher specializing in global cardiovascular health.

“Fortunately, atrial fibrillation is preventable, and early detection and appropriate treatment can significantly reduce its adverse effects,” he added.

A recent study by UCSF researchers analyzed the medical records of approximately 30 million adult patients in California who received intensive or procedural care between 2005 and 2019. The researchers found that:

• Approximately 2 million patients (6.67%) were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF).
• The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increased significantly during the study period, from 4.49% of patients treated between 2005-2009 to 6.82% of patients treated between 2015-2019

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a serious condition that causes many life-threatening complications, including mild symptoms like shortness of breath and dizziness, as well as serious complications like blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. Research has shown that people with AF are up to five times more likely to have a stroke.

Current analysis is based on medical records and diagnoses, but digital technologies such as wearable devices, mobile apps, and electronic medical records may reveal even more cases of atrial fibrillation (AF).

“With the increasing use of consumer-grade wearable devices designed to detect atrial fibrillation, coupled with safer and more effective ways to treat it, the current prevalence of atrial fibrillation in healthcare settings may soon be eclipsed by the future healthcare utilization that will occur due to this condition,” said Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, a cardiologist and electrophysiologist at UCSF Health.