Is there a direct link between irregular heart rhythm and dementia risk?

By Corrie Pelc on March 9, 2023 — Fact checked by Hilary Guite, FFPH, MRCGP Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia, affecting about 46.3 million people globally. Previous research is unclear about whether or not AFib is a direct risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia or whether observed increases in dementia are indirectly due to increased strokes from AFib. Researchers have found that people with newly-diagnosed AFib have a modestly elevated risk of developing dementia whether or not they had a stroke from AFib. Scientists found the risk to be higher in healthier adults under the age of 65. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) — a type of arrhythmia causing an irregular heart rhythm — affects about 46.3 million peopleTrusted Source around the world. Previous research supports AFib as a potential risk factor for cognitive declineTrusted Source and dementia.