The Global Impact of Atrial Fibrillation
Maham F Karatela, Hugh Calkins
Abstract
AF is a common yet multifaceted cardiac arrhythmia with a far-reaching impact. The global burden of AF has been growing rapidly over the last few decades, partly related to the increasing overall burden of chronic illnesses in the setting of an ageing world population. Not only is AF common, but it also has significant implications for patients' health. There exist regional variations in the incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality of AF. Moreover, treatment strategies differ appreciably by global regions in a pattern influenced by regional differences in access to medications, the development of large-volume centres and the presence of clinical research. This review explores how AF epidemiology has evolved over time with distinct geographic heterogeneity, and it aims to provide an updated context for the global impact of AF.