New research from the American Heart Association reveals that 62% of atrial fibrillation patients had no prior knowledge of their condition before diagnosis, exposing significant gaps in public awareness about this serious heart rhythm disorder. The nationwide survey of 1,200 participants, including 770 AFib patients and 430 caregivers, was conducted between January and March 2025 and assessed awareness, motivations, and barriers to treatment for the condition that affects over 6 million people in the U.S.
Atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk by up to five times, according to data from https://www.heart.org/-/media/Files/Health-Topics/Atrial-Fibrillation/FAQ-About-AFib.pdf. The projected rise in AFib cases is driven by several factors including growing prevalence of high blood pressure, increasing rates of diabetes and obesity, and an aging population. José Joglar, MD, professor of cardiac electrophysiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, emphasized that early detection and proactive management can make a life-saving difference.
The research findings highlight that AFib patients reported experiencing an average of three symptoms before receiving a diagnosis. While irregular heartbeat is a common symptom, other indicators include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, or fainting. Risk increases with age and is higher among people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, overweight, prior heart attack, or family history of the condition.
During AFib Awareness Month in September, the American Heart Association is raising awareness about early identification and treatment being critical to stroke prevention. The organization provides resources through its online community at https://MyAFibExperience.org where patients and caregivers can find support and connect with others. Treatment options for AFib may include medication, procedures, and lifestyle changes such as weight management, increased physical activity, smoking cessation, and managing conditions like high blood pressure.
The research was sponsored by the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, with funding support from the HCA Healthcare Foundation, which is a national sponsor of the Together to End Stroke initiative. Additional information about AFib signs, symptoms, and risk factors is available at https://Heart.org/AFib.
