{"id":124338,"date":"2022-03-11T09:51:28","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T09:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccs.ca\/?post_type=news&p=124338"},"modified":"2023-12-04T10:02:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T15:02:02","slug":"treat-growing-epidemic-of-atrial-fibrillation-by-targeting-risk-factors-leading-cardiologists-urge","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/ccs.ca\/news\/treat-growing-epidemic-of-atrial-fibrillation-by-targeting-risk-factors-leading-cardiologists-urge\/","title":{"rendered":"Treat the Growing Epidemic of Atrial Fibrillation By Targeting Risk Factors, Leading Cardiologists Urge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Biggest overhaul in practice guidelines in a decade consolidates latest research findings, advocates holistic approach to patient care<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinicians should treat atrial fibrillation as more than an isolated rhythm disorder because it signals the urgent need for a much broader approach to patient care, says the co-chair of the expert multidisciplinary panel that developed the newest treatment guidelines.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top 10 Takeaways<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In what is the most robust revision of practice recommendations<\/a> in a decade, the Canadian atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines advocate for considering AF as a symptom of larger and more complex cardiovascular disease. The most effective way to tackle AF is by focusing beyond the heart rhythm disorder, and managing cardiovascular risk factors, says Vancouver cardiologist and AF guidelines co-chair Dr. Jason<\/strong> Andrade<\/strong>. “This is a major philosophical shift.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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Dr. Jason Andrade<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Guidelines place strong emphasis on management of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, sleep apnea, and other risk factors. In addition to delivering the latest information on drug therapies and new technologies, recommendations also call for dedicated multidisciplinary clinics to treat people with AF in a holistic way to improve overall health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We\u2019ve become more aware that atrial fibrillation is a comprehensive multi-system disease,” Dr. Andrade says. “People who have atrial fibrillation generally have other cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac conditions.  If we focus only on the arrhythmia, the abnormal heartbeat, we miss a huge opportunity to improve quality and quantity of life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the concept of risk factor management was introduced in 2018, the latest recommendations broaden the emphasis and underscore the need for full-scale action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many as a million Canadians live with atrial fibrillation, an irregular rhythm or rapid heart rate. This growing epidemic can lead to days of lost work, large and disabling strokes, heart failure, anxiety, depression, and reduced life expectancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If you look at North American data, there are much higher rates of atrial fibrillation than in other parts of the world,” Dr. Andrade says. In the general population, the rate has risen from one per cent to three per cent in recent years. In people over age 80, the rate of AF can be as high as 10 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to human costs, atrial fibrillation and related care consumes an estimated $1 billion a year in health-care budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developed by a pan-Canadian expert panel that meticulously reviewed 10 years\u2019 worth of research evidence, the newest Canadian Cardiovascular Society\/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Comprehensive Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation<\/a> centralize the latest knowledge in a searchable format with easy-to-access recommendations and graphics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The guidelines are designed to be the comprehensive resource for clinicians to address most of the questions encountered in practice,” Dr. Andrade says. “This is meant to be the go-to resource for Canadian specialists, primary care practitioners, pharmacists, emergency doctors, and neurologists \u2013 essentially anyone who would encounter atrial fibrillation patients \u2013 to guide them to provide the best possible care.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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Dr. Kori Leblanc<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

University Health Network Pharmacy Specialist Dr. Kori Leblanc<\/strong>, a member of the expert panel, explains: “One of the goals of repackaging this entire 10-year update is to include everything in one place.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the emphasis on risk factors, the newest guidelines highlight:<\/p>\n\n\n\n