Atrial Fibrillation’s Small Heart Flutter Causes Big Costs

Pages: 1 2

Why Is Atrial Fibrillation So Costly?

With the average age of the population increasing, more people will be at risk for atrial fibrillation and subsequently at risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s. For those who suffer from stroke and survive, almost 60% will face permanent disability and require assistance. For those who develop Alzheimer’s, assisted living and long term care are mostly inevitable. The costs associated with living with either of these conditions will be expensive.

Based on studies by the Georges Pompidou European Hospital, 52% of the costs associated with atrial fibrillation are for patient hospital stays. Based on other studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, those with worsening heart failure and atrial fibrillation are 16% more likely to require hospitalization than those with only worsening heart failure. Having atrial fibrillation is responsible for much additional medical cost.

At the same time, 15% of all strokes occur in those with Atrial Fibrillation. Based on estimates on the annual cost of strokes in the US from the University Hospital, this means that atrial fibrillation is costing the US roughly $6.5 billion dollars annually or roughly $9200 per person with atrial fibrillation who suffers from a stroke. Without efforts to reduce the rate of stroke and atrial fibrillation, the American Academy of Neurology predicts the costs associated with stroke from atrial fibrillation will reach 330 billion in 40 years.

Strokes aside, in the US, more than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease and costs of the disease are estimated at $148 billion. If we consider that some nontrivial portion of these costs is associated with atrial fibrillation, then the price tag of atrial fibrillation starts to become very high.

Subsequently, when the total costs of stroke and Alzheimer’s resulting from atrial fibrillation are tallied to tens of billions of dollars, these fluttering heartbeats truly become a significant cost burden. If projections are believed, then the burden on society becomes hundreds of billions of dollars. Obviously, this is a problem that needs to be nipped in the bud with better patient awareness, more thorough treatment and new research.

Do you suffer from atrial fibrillation? Do you have experiences to share with others or would like to learn from the experiences of others? Consider joining the forums to share your thoughts with others.

Related Links

http://www.bhf.org.uk/living-with-a-heart-condition/understanding-heart-conditions/types-of-heart-conditions/heart-rhythms/atrial-fibrillation.aspx

http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca/site/c.pvI3IeNWJwE/b.3581729/k.359A/Statistics.htm#atrialfib

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090610/fibrillation_090610

http://www.sahlgrenska.gu.se/english/news_and_events/news/News_Detail//Big_men_more_susceptible_to_atrial_fibrillation.cid876266

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/114/7/e257

http://intermountainhealthcare.org/about/news/Pages/home.aspx?NewsID=148

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14691429?dopt=Abstract

http://www.theuniversityhospital.com/stroke/stats.htm

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/aaon-pco_1081406.php

http://main.uab.edu/Sites/MediaRelations/articles/65084/

http://www.iih.usyd.edu.au/events/latest-news/blood-pressure-the-key-to-protecting-type-2-diabetes-patients-with-irregular-heart-beat.cfm

http://www.alz.org/national/documents/report_alzfactsfigures2009.pdf

Pages: 1 2

  Related Posts
      Venom As Medication – Tis Just a Hint of Venom, My Sweet