BackgroundCirculatory diseases continue to be the greatest cause of mortality for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and a major cause of persistently lower life expectancy compared with non-Aboriginal Australians. The limited information that exists on atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is mostly based on hospital admission data. This shows AF as principal or additional admission diagnosis was 1.4 times higher compared to non-Aboriginal Australians, a higher incidence of AF across the adult life span after age 20 years and a significantly higher prevalence among younger patients. Our study estimates the first national community prevalence and age distribution of AF (including paroxysmal) in Australian Aboriginal people. A handheld single-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) device (iECG), known to be acceptable in this population, was used to record participant ECGs. MethodsThis co-designed, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in partnership with 16 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health organisations at their facilities and/or with their services delivered elsewhere. The study was also conducted at one state community event. Three (3) Australian jurisdictions were involved: New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Study sites were located in remote, regional and urban areas. Opportunistic recruitment occurred between June 2016 and December 2017. People ,45 years of age were excluded.

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