Atrial Fibrillation and Declining Physical Performance in Older Adults: The Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Age is the foremost risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), and AF has a rising prevalence in older adults. How AF may contribute to decline in physical performance in older adults has had limited investigation. We examined the associations of incident AF and 4-year interval declines in physical performance at ages 70, 74, 78, and 82 years in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study.

Methods and results

Health ABC is a prospective cohort of community-dwelling older adults (n=3075). The study conducted serial assessments of physical performance with the Health ABC physical performance battery (scored 0-4), grip strength, 2-minute walk distance, and 400-m walking time. Incident AF was identified from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

SUBMITTER: Magnani JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4826757 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature