Impact of Awareness and Patterns of Nonhospitalized Atrial Fibrillation on the Risk of Mortality: The Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although mortality associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported to decrease over prior decades, the mortality risk of asymptomatic, nonhospitalized AF has not been examined.

Hypothesis

Asymptomatic, nonhospitalized AF is associated with an increased risk of death.

Methods

This analysis included 25,976 participants (mean age, 65 ± 9.4 years; 55% female; 38% black) from the Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences (REGARDS) study. Atrial fibrillation was detected on the baseline electrocardiogram (ECG AF) or by self-reported history. Atrial fibrillation unawareness was defined as present if ECG evidence of the arrhythmia was detected but no self-reported history was reported. All-cause mortality was confirmed during follow-up through March

SUBMITTER: O'Neal WT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4769105 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature