- Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia, affecting about 46.3 million people globally.
- Previous research is unclear about whether or not AFib is a direct risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia or whether observed increases in dementia are indirectly due to increased strokes from AFib.
- Researchers have found that people with newly-diagnosed AFib have a modestly elevated risk of developing dementia whether or not they had a stroke from AFib.
- Scientists found the risk to be higher in healthier adults under the age of 65.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) — a type of arrhythmia causing an irregular heart rhythm — affects about
Previous research supports AFib as a potential risk factor for
Now, researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine add to this body of research through a new study, finding that people with newly-diagnosed AFib have a modestly elevated risk of developing dementia.
Scientists also found this risk to be higher in younger adults under the age of 65 and those without chronic kidney disease.
The study was recently published in the
AFib is the most common type of heartbeat issue. It occurs when the heart’s two upper chambers — known as the
Symptoms of AFib include:
AFib can happen at any age. However, it is more common among
There is currently no cure for AFib. However, doctors can
People with AFib are at a higher risk for developing stroke, blood clots, and heart failure.
According to Dr. Nisha Bansal, a professor and the Arthur Stach Family Endowed Professor in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Washington School of Medicine…
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