Atrial Fibrillation Affects 10.5 Million Americans, New Study Reveals

The condition, which can lead to severe health complications, is three times more common than previously estimated.

Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) now affects an estimated 10.5 million U.S. adults, according to new research from the University of California, San Francisco
The study analyzed medical records of 30 million patients in California from 2005 to 2019, finding a significant increase in A-Fib diagnoses over the years.
A-Fib can double the risk of heart-related death and is a major cause of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and dementia.
The rise in A-Fib cases is attributed to an aging population and increases in hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
Early detection and treatment of A-Fib can substantially reduce its adverse outcomes, with new technologies like wearable heart monitors aiding in diagnosis.