PUBLISHER: GlobalData | PRODUCT CODE: 1305962
PUBLISHER: GlobalData | PRODUCT CODE: 1305962
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. It occurs due to abnormal electrical activity within the atria of the heart, causing them to fibrillate, and is characterized as a tachyarrhythmia (Wakai and O'Neill, 2003; Burdett and Lip, 2022). Due to its rhythm irregularity, blood flow through the heart becomes turbulent and has a high chance of forming a thrombus or blood clot, which can ultimately dislodge and cause a stroke. AF is the leading cardiac cause of stroke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).
Both men and women can have the disease. Major risk factors for AF are advancing age, hypertension, obesity, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease (CKD), alcohol intake, smoking, and enlargement of the chambers on the left side of the heart (Mayo Clinic, 2021b; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022; American Heart Association, 2023d). There is no cure for AF, however treatment and lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, abnormal heart rhythms and prevent complications.
In the 8MM, total prevalent cases of AF are expected to increase from 14,457,906 cases in 2022 to 17,515,229 cases in 2032, at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 2.11%. In 2032, the US will have the highest number of total prevalent cases of AF in the 8MM, with 7,038,607 cases, whereas Canada will have the fewest total prevalent cases of AF with 712,577 cases. In the 8MM, diagnosed prevalent cases of AF are expected to increase from 12,862,824 cases in 2022 to 15,640,567 cases in 2032, at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 2.16%. In 2032, the US will have the highest number of diagnosed prevalent cases of AF in the 8MM, with 6,411,373 cases, whereas Canada will have the fewest diagnosed prevalent cases of AF with 649,076 cases. GlobalData epidemiologists attribute the increase in the total and diagnosed prevalent cases of AF to changes in population dynamics and the diagnosis rate in each market.
The atrial fibrillation epidemiology series will allow you to -