Experiences of living with symptomatic atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. In 2010, more than 33.5 million people worldwide were estimated to be affected and the disease continues to increase in both prevalence and incidence (Chugh et al., 2014). Increased prevalence is due to both improved awareness of AF resulting in systematic diagnosis of AF being made earlier (Kirchhof, Breithardt, et al., 2016) and increases in the life expectancy of the general population (Hindricks et al., 2020).Age is a major risk factor for AF, along with other factors that can be modified by lifestyle changes, namely high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (Hindricks et al., 2020). | BACKG ROU N DThe risk of AF for people of European descent and over the age of 55 is 1 in 3 (Hindricks et al., 2020). In Sweden, about 330,000 persons live with the diagnosis of AF (Riksförbundet HjärtLung, 2021).Since many individuals have asymptomatic AF and/or are undiagnosed, prevalence, in general, is assumed to be significantly higher (Kirchhof, Benussi, et al., 2016). Symptoms for those affected vary; some have no symptoms at all while others experience severe symptoms with a large symptom burden. Common symptoms are palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue (Hindricks et al., 2020).Research shows that AF negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL), often in relation to the severity of symptoms (Freeman

Illness Perceptions and Health-Related Quality of Life in Women and Men With Atrial Fibrillation

“…Studies also showed that patients avoided planning social activities, their exercise habits were influenced, and their work situations suffered because of disabling symptoms and unpredictable episodes of AF. 28,29 Although European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend multidisciplinary care for the management of AF, multidisciplinary care is mostly based on a medical and structured approach, based on the "Atrial fibrillation Better Care" pathway (A, avoid stroke; B, better symptom control; and C, cardiovascular risk factors and comorbid condition management). 1 Care of patients with AF would benefit from a more person-centered approach based on the patients' perspectives and needs.…”

“…In a mixed method study, Stridsman et al 28 found that the consequences of living with AF that most affected HRQoL negatively were impaired physical ability, not being able to perform daily activities, and planning leisure activities. Studies also showed that patients avoided planning social activities, their exercise habits were influenced, and their work situations suffered because of disabling symptoms and unpredictable episodes of AF 28,29 . Although European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend multidisciplinary care for the management of AF, multidisciplinary care is mostly based on a medical and structured approach, based on the “Atrial fibrillation Better Care” pathway (A, avoid stroke; B, better symptom control; and C, cardiovascular risk factors and comorbid condition management) 1 .…”