title: Atrial Fibrillation: Prevalence and Scope of the Problem.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is the single most common sustained cardiac dysrhythmia in the United States, and a major cause of hospitalization, stroke, disability, and death. The rapidly increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation is largely attributable to the aging of the population. Because atrial fibrillation may be intermittent and asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic at onset, its prevalence is difficult to establish. Implanted loop recorders, pacemakers, and defibrillators have enabled precise assessment of the heart rhythm over long periods of time. The incidence of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation is higher than is perceived by patients, and carries with it an increased risk of stoke.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Electrophysiology, Columbia St. Mary's Cardiovascular Physicians, Watertower Medical Commons, Suite 206, 2350 North Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deshpande
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Electrophysiology, Columbia St. Mary's Cardiovascular Physicians, Watertower Medical Commons, Suite 206, 2350 North Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Catanzaro
authors.affiliation: Columbia St. Mary's Cardiovascular Physicians, Watertower Medical Commons, Suite 400, 2350 North Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA. Electronic address: samuelwann@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wann
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Dysrhythmia; Heart; Prevalence