Study note
MedicineCardiology

Atrial fibrillation: prevalence and clinical burden

THE CONTEXT
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality.

Prevalence

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The overall prevalence is 0.5% in the adult population of the UK.
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Prevalence increases with age: 1% of people aged 60–64 years and 9% of those aged over 80 years are affected.

Clinical significance

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The associated morbidity and increased mortality are mainly related to underlying heart disease.
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Systemic embolism and stroke also contribute to the clinical burden of AF.
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