Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with increased
morbidity (long term disease), especially stroke and heart failure, and increased mortality.
AF is divided into two types: non-valvular (NVAF) which isn’t associated with heart valve
issues, and valvular AF where the heart valves (particularly the mitral valve) are partly the
cause.
AF affects men more than women: but women have a higher mortality rate from AF than
men.
Incidence of AF: globally, the incidence of AF has been increasing at 18% per year over the
past 20 years i.e., an average increase of 2.5 million people globally, each year. It is
considered an ‘epidemic’ by most health authorities.
This increasing incidence of AF is thought to be because of the increasing aging population
worldwide. 50% of people over the age of 80 years old, have AF.
Māori and Pacific peoples experience higher incidence rates of AF compared to European
New Zealanders and other ethnicities.
Mortality: Women with AF are more likely to die than men. Deaths from AF have doubled
between 1990 – 2010.
Successful Treatment: involves anti-arrhythmic medications (rivaroxaban), rhythm control
interventions (cardioversion, ablation, pacemaker insertion) and lifestyle modifications (diet,
and exercise).
Also highly effective is nurse-specialist led clinics where patients are closely and personally
guided through treatment strategies.
Sources: ‘Global Burden of Disease, Injuries and Risk Factors Study’ (GBD 2010 Study). AHA.
Burden of atrial fibrillation in Māori and Pacific people in New Zealand. NIH. PubMed. (2018)
