How Atrial Fibrillation Can Lead to Dementia By Elizabeth Pratt on November 14, 2018

Patients with an abnormal heartbeat also show signs of silent brain injury. That’s according to a study recently presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago. Researchers say they found that patients with atrial fibrillation can experience chronic injury to the brain that may not be obvious through symptoms. The findings could have important implications in identifying patients at risk of neurodegenerative problems such as dementia and cognitive decline. “Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained abnormal heart rhythm and will impact 30 to 40 percent of our aging population. Dementia is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation and is becoming a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Atrial fibrillation patients develop dementia earlier and the progression is more rapid. How we identify and treat atrial fibrillation can impact dementia risk,” Dr. Jared Bunch, co-author of the study and medical director of Heart Rhythm Services for Intermountain Healthcare, told Healthline. What researchers uncover