The Burden of AFib in Women

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) may not affect women and men in the same way, a new study found.

More specifically, women may have more symptoms, lower quality of life as a result of AFib and an increased stroke risk — as well as higher survival.

AFib is a condition marked by an irregular heart beat that can lead to stroke, heart failure and other problems.

The Duke University Medical Center researchers behind this study did say these findings could have implications for future, gender-tailored treatments.

This study looked at more than 10,000 patients. Forty-two percent of those patients were women.

This research was published recently in JAMA Cardiology.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and Janssen Scientific Affairs funded this research. Authors disclosed multiple conflicts of interest, including several ties to pharmaceutical companies that may make medications or devices used to treat AFib.