A new study published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology has revealed that atrial fibrillation, a type of heart arrhythmia, is more common in people under 65 than previously believed. Previously, it was thought that roughly 2 percent of individuals in this age group had Afib, but the study found that more than 25 percent of patients studied were actually under 65.
According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Aditya Bhonsale, there has been a misconception among cardiologists that Afib is extremely uncommon and not detrimental in people under 65, but there has been a lack of data to support this. The research team from the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute reviewed over 67,000 records of Afib cases between 2010 and 2019 and found that young patients with Afib were more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure, stroke, or heart attack.
The study also found that survival rates for arrhythmia were significantly worse for young men and women with Afib compared to those without the condition. Furthermore, the proportion of patients under 50 who were hospitalized more than once due to myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke increased with age.
It is important for individuals to be aware of the common symptoms of Afib, such as chest pain, dizziness, fainting, extreme fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Risk factors for developing Afib include alcohol use, high stress levels, high blood pressure, being tall, thyroid disease, sleep apnea, and being male.
The researchers emphasized the need for a focus on evaluating and managing risk factors and comorbidities in young patients with Afib. With the increasing burden of cardiovascular risk factors in younger Americans, it is crucial to be vigilant about heart health and seek medical attention if experiencing any symptoms of Afib.
Could you please rewrite that?
Source link
