Article
Article
Atrial fibrillation
Article By:
McManus, David D. Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Magnani, Jared W. Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
Rienstra, Michiel Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Benjamin, Emelia J. Framingham Heart Study, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Framingham, Massachusetts.
Last reviewed:March 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.061450
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The most common type of arrhythmia (any disorder of the heart rate or rhythm). Atrial fibrillation, often abbreviated AFib or AF, is a heart condition that can lead to potentially serious complications. It is associated with decreased quality of life and increased risk of cognitive decline, dementia, stroke, heart failure (HF), and mortality. The adverse public health impact of atrial fibrillation is increasing around the world (Fig. 1), and the associated annual health-care costs are estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. See also: Cardiovascular system; Heart (vertebrate); Heart disorders
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