Atrial fibrillation almost doubles death rates independently of other known predictors, and is an independent risk factor for stroke and heart failure severity.
Is atrial fibrillation associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality?
Atrial fibrillation is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality, doubling death rates and significantly increasing the risk of stroke and severe heart failure.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the western world. Because AF prevalence rises with age and western populations are increasingly aging, AF has been called a "growing epidemic", especially among older persons, with social and economic consequences. AF may concur to disability and may cluster with other co-existing clinical conditions. AF is an independent risk factor for stroke by increasing the thromboembolic risk profile and is associated with heart failure severity. Among persons with AF, prevalence of stroke, coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease, cognitive impairment and physical disability is significantly higher. AF is associated with higher risk of mortality through the association with stroke and heart failure: ischemic strokes are more severe if AF is present and AF may represent a marker of more severe heart failure. Independently of other known predictors of mortality, death rates are almost doubled by AF. AF, therefore, is a considerable source of morbidity and mortality, is associated with disability, and is a major determinant of quality of life.
Bordignon et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Atrial Fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation almost doubles death rates independently of other known predictors, and is an independent risk factor for stroke and heart failure severity.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: