How common is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder. It is found in about 1% of the overall population, particularly in the elderly. It is rare in young people but found in 5% of those over the age of 65 and 10% of those over 80.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is AFib more common in older adults?

Yes, the prevalence of AFib increases significantly with age.

Are men or women more likely to develop AFib?

Men are slightly more likely to develop AFib, but women with AFib have a higher risk of complications like stroke.

Is AFib common in people without heart disease?

Yes, while more common in people with heart conditions, AFib can occur in otherwise healthy individuals.

Are certain ethnic groups more prone to AFib?

Yes, AFib is more common in people of European descent but is less diagnosed in other ethnicities due to varying healthcare access.

How does AFib prevalence compare to other arrhythmias?

AFib is the most frequently diagnosed arrhythmia, more common than atrial flutter or ventricular tachycardia.

The content for this website for patients has been reviewed by Dr. Heather Edwards (nominated by the British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS)).

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Related Pages

• Fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Fainting, Dizziness, and Blackouts
• Palpitations
• Chest pain
• Fluttering
• How common is atrial fibrillation?
• Who is at higher risk for atrial fibrillation?
• How does it feel to have atrial fibrillation?