Atrial fibrillation incidence from 1991 to 2021 increased by 111.6% in the USA and 47.0% in the EU, with mortality rising 161% and 124% respectively.
Observational
Yes
The burden of atrial fibrillation has risen markedly in both the USA and EU from 1991 to 2021, driven largely by hypertension, with obesity and alcohol consumption emerging as rapidly growing risk factors.
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) contributes significantly to global mortality. Its burden is rising, but regional differences remain. We assessed AF prevalence, incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and risk factors in the USA and EU from 1991 to 2021. Methods: AF data from GBD 2021 were extracted, stratified by sex and age. Absolute numbers, age-standardized rates (ASR), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) were calculated. DALYs and deaths attributable to common risk factors were also analyzed. Results: From 1991 to 2021, AF incidence increased by 111.6% in the USA (EAPC 2.48) and 47.0% in the EU (EAPC 1.14), with faster growth in males. ASR prevalence and incidence increased in the USA (EAPC 0.57 and 0.55) but were stable in the EU (EAPC −0.05 and −0.21). Mortality rose 161% in the USA (EAPC 3.19) and 124% in the EU (EAPC 3.04), with the sharpest increases in older EU adults and midlife USA adults. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was the largest contributor to DALYs and deaths, while high body-mass index (BMI) and alcohol grew fastest. Conclusions: AF burden rose markedly in both regions, with steeper increases in the USA and greater impact on males and midlife adults. Hypertension remains the dominant contributor, but obesity and alcohol consumption are emerging challenges.
Jancic et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter. Atrial fibrillation incidence from 1991 to 2021 increased by 111.6% in the USA and 47.0% in the EU, with mortality rising 161% and 124% respectively.