Atrial Fibrillation – Numbers & Statistics

Did you know that atrial fibrillation is very common? Numbers and statistics.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting over 11 million people in Europe. Nearly 900,000 new cases come up every year. In fact, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation is increasing so significantly that researchers are describing it as a global epidemic (1).

What’s more, these numbers are likely an underestimation, as the asymptomatic nature of atrial fibrillation makes it even more common. According to estimates, at least 25–30% of individuals experience atrial fibrillation with mild or no symptoms at all.

Early detection is key

The good news: atrial fibrillation can be treated. Regular monitoring improves early detection. When atrial fibrillation is detected, treatment can be started in a timely manner. Treatment aims to control symptoms and avoid later complications.

Did you know?

• Over a million people impacted in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK

• Over 400,000 people with atrial fibrillation in Sweden

• Over 200,000 people with atrial fibrillation in Finland

Reasons behind the growing prevalence include aging population, rising incidence for risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes, and longer survival with chronic conditions.

Lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation

In 2004, the lifetime risk for atrial fibrillation was estimated to impact every 1 in 4 individuals above 40 years of age. Ten years later, this risk has reached about every 1 in 3, indexed at age of 55 years (2).

Men are 13% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than women during their lifetime (3).

What can you do to address the risk? Read more about the risk factors and how to tackle them in our blog.

Sources:

1. Kornej et al (2020). Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation in the 21st Century

2. Staerk L, et al. Lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation according to optimal, borderline, or elevated levels of risk factors: cohort study based on longitudinal data from the Framingham Heart Study. BMJ. 2018

3. Lloyd-Jones DM, Wang TJ, Leip EP, Larson MG, Levy D et al. (2004) Lifetime risk for development of atrial fibrillation: the Framingham Heart Study