Heart failure is the most common complication of atrial fibrillation, finds study
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A study published in the journal The BMJ found that the lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation - a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate - has increased from one in four to one in three over the past two decades.
Approximately 33.5 million people worldwide are affected by atrial fibrillation each year.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) can lead to various heart problems due to its irregular and rapid heart rate. It increases the risk of blood clots forming in the atria, which can result in strokes. The irregular rhythm can weaken the heart muscle over time, leading to heart failure and cardiomyopathy.
In the study, Researchers analyzed national data from 3.5 million Danish adults aged 45 or older with no prior history of atrial fibrillation over a 23-year period to determine AF development. They followed 362,721 individuals newly diagnosed with AF, without prior complications, until a diagnosis of heart failure, stroke, or heart attack. Factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart failure, lung and kidney disease were considered.
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