Relatively Common Arrhythmia Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common serious cardiac arrhythmia, affecting approximately 2.2 million Americans.1 The prevalence of AF doubles with each decade of age, and AF occurs in almost 9% of Americans older than 80.96 Common symptoms of AF include97: Palpitations Angina Dyspnea Fatigue Lightheadedness Cardiovascular Risk AF is associated with a number of cardiovascular conditions, including97: Valvular heart disease CAD Hypertension Additionally, AF sufferers are approximately 5 times more likely to have a stroke than individuals without AF.98 In fact, AF accounts for 15% to 20% of all strokes.99 Women and AF The absolute number of men and women with AF is about equal. However, as age increases, women tend to account for an increasingly larger portion of the AF population in the US.100 After adjusting for various factors, the risk of death for women with AF is almost twice that of those without AF.101 Women with AF are at increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with men.102 Women with hypertension are 40% more likely to develop AF.103 Women with diabetes are at 60% greater risk for AF.103 Women with AF may have difficulty completing a symptom-limited exercise protocol for cardiac testing.

Diabetes Obesity Metabolic Syndrome Race/Ethnicity Defining Risk in Women Exercise Capacity in Women C-Reactive Protein Atrial Fibrillation Heart Failure Fat Distribution and Heart Disease in Women Fitness Levels Rheumatoid Arthritis Aging