Abnormal heartbeats may be more common in younger adults than previously thought

Young adults encouraged to take charge of their heart health during AFib Awareness Month

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Sept. 19, 2024) – A recent U.S. study reveals atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that causes irregular heartbeats, may be more common in younger adults than previously thought. AFib is typically found in adults over the age of 65, and these new findings are leading heart experts to urge younger adults to take charge of their heart health now.

“AFib is a serious heart condition that can lead to stroke and heart failure if left untreated,” said Jaskanwal ‘Sonny’ Bisla, MD, an electrophysiologist and member of the Dignity Health Heart Arrhythmia Center. “It’s essential for all adults to be in-tune with their heart health and not brush off symptoms that may lead to a bigger issue down the road.”

The national study, conducted by the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, analyzed electronic medical records of more than 67,000 patients across 40 hospitals between 2010 and 2019 who sought care for AFib. Of that group of patients, more than a quarter of them were under the age of 65 according to the study. Historically, cardiovascular experts only believed 2 percent of AFib patients were under the age of 65.

“There are several risk factors that contribute to AFib, and more research needs to be done to determine why we are seeing an increase in young AFib patients,” said Dr. Bisla. “However, we do know that a person’s lifestyle plays a huge role in their heart health.”

AFib causes the upper chambers of a person’s heart to beat quickly and irregularly. Oftentimes AFib symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath can be triggered by lifestyle habits such as excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking.

“A patient can’t change their family history, but they can take steps toward living a healthier lifestyle,” said Dr. Bisla. “By making these changes earlier in adulthood, patients can help reduce their risk of living with AFib down the road.”

The Dignity Health Heart Arrhythmia Center located in the East Valley is home to a team of experts who use some of the most advanced technology in the center’s electrophysiology lab to determine what causes patients to experience abnormal heartbeats and develop an individualized plan of care.

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