Estimates of AFib prevalence in the United States ranged from 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in 2010 and are predicted to double by 2050.² Improved screening methods and increasing use of therapy methods have contributed to lower AFib mortality rates, which contributes to the increased number of patients living with the condition.³

Most adults develop AF later in life with the average age for men being 67 while the average age for women is 75.² In general, the risk for developing AFib doubles every 10 years starting at age 60.³

The number of patients affected by AFib and the growth rate have made it a significant area of interest for healthcare providers and treatment options and methods continue to evolve. A long-term study over a 50-year period from 1958 to 2007 showed improved survival rates (25.4% decline in mortality) and a 73.5% decline in the risk of AFib-related stroke.³

AFib Patient & Caregiver Resources

Some newly diagnosed patients find that connecting with others who have been diagnosed or care for those affected by AFib is a great way to cope with the feelings you may be experiencing and to ask questions and find answers. Connect with other on social networks like Facebook, post your questions on patient and caregiver community forums and contribute your own experiences to help others and become a more informed patient so you can make more information decisions about your treatment options, lifestyles choices and other factors that affect your quality of life living with AFib.

Below are a list of curated resources and communities to consider:

• https://www.facebook.com/GetSmartAboutAFib - a Facebook community page for patients of AFib and their caregivers with regular post about AFib and heart-related health information where users can interact with each other through the comments on each post.
• Heart Rhythm Society – Patient and professional resources promoting research and education about atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders.
• American Heart Association’s Atrial Fibrillation resources – Education and treatment resources,
• MyAFibExperience.org – Online community maintained by the American Heart Association
• StopAfib.org – A patient-run website with information about all aspects of AFib diagnosis and management options. Offers a newsletter and community forum.
• Atrial Fibrillation Association of the United States - Comprehensive patient and clinician resource, including news and events, awareness campaigns, support groups and volunteer opportunities.
• Atrial Fibrillation Survivor: University of Utah Health Sciences resource page – connects survivors with current patients, provides education and outreach, maintains a research blog, provides links to job and volunteer opportunities

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with AFib, connect with others to share your experience or learn from theirs and become an informed patient so you can make educated decisions about your treatment options. Our frequently asked questions page for recently diagnosed patients may have some of the answers you’re looking for.