New research shows atrial fibrillation, a cause of stroke, can affect white men more than it could affect black men. This can happen even though blacks have a higher prevalence of risk factors such as high blood pressure.
Atrial fibrillation is a heart arrhythmia in which the two upper chambers, or atria, quiver chaotically instead of beating in a normal rhythmic pattern. This study is according to the according to the Heart Rhythm Society.
Blood pools and clots the atria, raising the risk of stroke caused by the less effective pumping action.
The study proves that race has a direct impact on the incidence of atrial fibrillation, the researchers said. They are presenting this research on Wednesday at the Heart Rhythm Society’s annual meeting, in Boston.
200,000 patients who had at least two clinical visits to the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit during 2007 were examined. 10,333 whites, 65,657 blacks were involved in the study and 20,114 patients whose race was undefined.
42 percent of blacks had hypertension compared to 29 percent of whites. 17 percent of blacks and 12 percent whites had diabetes.
“Our results confirm what previous, smaller studies have suggested about African Americans and a lower prevalence of AF [atrial fibrillation],” said study author Dr. Kan Fang. “What is truly fascinating about our findings is that African Americans can have significant risk factors for AF, even higher than those of Caucasian patients, yet have a lower occurrence.”
The evaluation of atrial fibrillation involves diagnosis, determination of the etiology of the arrhythmia, and classification of the arrhythmia. This includes a history and physical examination. It also involves ECG, transthoracic echocardiogram, and routine bloodwork.
Rapid and irregular heart rates may be perceived as palpitations, exercise intolerance, and occasionally produce angina and congestive symptoms of shortness of breath or edema.
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