Epidemiology: How common is it? Who is at risk? Morbidity and mortality.

I tend to think of an epidemic as a problem like the recent Ebola outbreak, or the influenza of 1918, or even the ever so popular idea of a zombie apocalypse. It is easy for every day morbidity's to become a normal part of life which we forget may be preventable to some extent. I think AF is one of these diseases.

When recognizing the statistical data it is obvious that AF is becoming more prevalent and we need to appreciate this. Today, approximately 2.3 million people in the US are diagnosed with AF, that's more than the population of King County! Estimated projections show this increasing to 5.6 million by 2050. Several factors are involved in the increasing prevalence of AF; chronic high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and advancements in diagnoses should be considered. (1) Most of these morbidity's are problems related to poor lifestyle habits with the exception of genetic predisposition and congenital heart defects. 

Sorry guys, we have a 1.5-fold greater likelihood of developing AF than women. (1) Though there is little research to explain why this is it suggests some relation to male genetics and/or lifestyle. 

Family history of AF also plays a role as it increases the risk for children whose parents have AF by 2-3-fold. (1)

As age increases, the occurrence and severity of AF increases. We know the risk factors include many chronic problems which may take years before causing complications with AF. The wear and tear of high blood pressure (hypertension) and fat accumulation on the heart over many years promotes AF. The disease can be controlled in many cases, preventing mortality with medication and lifestyle changes is most successful. Once diagnosed, the condition is a morbidity which usually requires attention for the remainder of life.

References:

1.     Kannel, W., & Benjamin, E. (2008, February 15). Final Draft Status of the Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2245891/#FN2