Personalized Care Approach Focusing on Lifestyle Factors Could Decrease Atrial Fibrillation Risk for Individuals
Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as AFib, is the most common type of arrhythmia, affecting over people globally. It's an irregular heart rhythm caused by the left upper chamber's abnormal beating, posing a significant risk for stroke.
Besides widely recognized cardiovascular risk factors like physical activity, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and mental health disorders also increase the risk.
A recent review shed light on lifestyle factors, comorbid conditions, and socioeconomic factors influencing the risk of AFib. The review emphasizes the need for comprehensive, individualized care to manage AFib and lower the risk of death and other health issues.
Dr. Stephen Tang, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist, explained that managing AFib goes beyond just oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention or rate or rhythm control with medication or ablation. He added that identifying and optimizing risk factors is essential for the long-term management of AFib.
AFib involves an irregular heartbeat in the atrium, potentially causing blood clots that can block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. Nonmodifiable risk factors for AFib include genetics, sex, and age, while modifiable risk factors include lifestyle factors, comorbid conditions, and socioeconomic factors.
Lifestyle changes and medications can help manage this condition. Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, can reduce the risk of blood clot formation and stroke. Drugs such as warfarin and NOACs have been used as oral anticoagulants, with NOACs becoming the first-line treatment for AFib.
Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of AFib, while sedentary lifestyles increase the risk. Regular moderate-to-vigorous training and high-intensity interval training are effective in reducing morbidity and improving quality of life. Achieving proper weight through diet and exercise can also lower the risk of AFib.
Smoking and moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption increase the risk of AFib, with the data on low-level alcohol consumption being mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep, is estimated to occur in 21-74% of AFib patients and increases the risk of AFib recurrence after catheter ablation.
Individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, such as hypertension, heart failure, and certain metabolic conditions, are at an increased risk of AFib. The management and treatment of comorbid conditions, such as hypertension, can help reduce the risk of AFib recurrence or complications such as stroke.
In addition to lifestyle factors and comorbid conditions, sex, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity/race can influence the risk of AFib. Women are more likely to experience complications, including stroke and mortality, compared to men, despite AFib being more prevalent in men. The higher risk of complications in women is attributed to differences in biological factors, access to healthcare, and psychological factors, such as stress.
Low socioeconomic status is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, stroke, and mortality in individuals with pre-existing AFib. The need for individualized care is crucial due to the myriad factors influencing AFib, as each patient's underlying risk factors can be different. A multidisciplinary approach that caters to a particular patient is recommended for optimal results.
- Identifying and optimizing lifestyle factors, comorbid conditions, and socioeconomic factors is essential for the long-term management of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
- Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, weight management through diet and exercise, and quitting smoking can help lower the risk of AFib.
- Medications like blood thinners or anticoagulants, such as warfarin and NOACs, can reduce the risk of blood clot formation and stroke for those with AFib.
- Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep, increases the risk of AFib recurrence after catheter ablation in some individuals.
- Pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, like hypertension and heart failure, as well as certain metabolic disorders, can increase a person's risk of AFib.
- Women are more prone to AFib complications like stroke and mortality compared to men, due to differences in biological factors, access to healthcare, and psychological factors, such as stress.
- Low socioeconomic status is linked to an increased risk of heart failure, stroke, and mortality in individuals with pre-existing AFib, reiterating the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care for optimal results.
