Atrial fibrillation can shorten life expectancy by several years, yet many older adults remain undertreated
Atrial fibrillation is a complex disease with significant health implications and appears to be common in the general population. Understanding the pattern and trend of the atrial fibrillation burden is essential for developing effective preventive strategies. This study investigated the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and its impact on long-term survival among older adults in Sweden, using data from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC), which is part of NEAR. The study comprised 6,904 individuals (mean age: 73.9 years; 59% women), who were followed for up to 10 years. Atrial fibrillation was assessed using a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), which involves recording the heart’s electrical signals in a resting state using 12 different leads.
Atrial Fibrillation Stock photos by Vecteezy.com
Results showed that those with atrial fibrillation at the start of the study had a higher risk of death, and that this mortality risk was higher among men. In detail, atrial fibrillation shortened life expectancy by 2.4 years over the 10-year study period. Any form of anticoagulant use was reported by 42.8% of those with atrial fibrillation. Overall, anticoagulants showed no significant impact on survival; however, the use of warfarin was associated with improved survival. The results from this study demonstrate that atrial fibrillation continues to be associated with increased mortality and that many older people have a high risk of developing a stroke since they do not receive appropriate anticoagulant therapy. Thus, to improve the long-term survival of older people, there is a need for enhanced preventive and therapeutic modalities, as well as effective diagnostic tools and screening strategies.
Publication
Lindberg, T., Sanmartin Berglund, J., Wimo, A., Qiu, C., Bohman, D. M., Elmståhl, S. Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation and Long-Term Survival of Older Adults; Findings from the SNAC Study. Geritol Geriatr Med. 2024;Dec 3;10:23337214241304887.
