• • an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke and severe heart disease
• • may happen rarely or every now and then (paroxysmal), or it may become an ongoing (persistent) or long-term (permanent) heart problem that lasts for years
• • lifetime risk for men and women over age 40 is 1 in 4
• • with aging population and increased screening, prevalence is increasing and is higher in Asia
• • most common and most costly rhythm disorder
• • more common in the elderly and people with heart disease
• • In 2050, projected AF population of Asia will reach 72 mil (17.1 mil in Europe and 15.9 mil in US)

• • Stroke (30% total stroke each year)
• • 5.1 mil people suffered first-ever AF-related stroke each year
• • Intracranial hemorrhage two times higher in Asians
• • Heart failure
• • Chronic fatigue
• • Additional heart rhythm problems
• • Inconsistent blood supply
• • Impaired quality of life

ECG (EKG)

• • Disposable ECG electrodes are attached to the body (extremities and chest) while the patient lies flat on a bed
• • the test takes about two minutes and is painless

Echocardiogram

• • a test uses ultrasound to evaluate your heart condition
• • non-invasive, no radiation
• • be able to assess the overall function of your heart

Exercise stress test

• • walking on a treadmill at increasing levels of difficulty, while your heart rate is monitored
• • can reveal problems that might not be noticeable otherwise

Holter monitor

• • a portable device which records all his/her heartbeats for 24-hours
• • worn under the clothing and records information about the electrical activity of the heart while the patient goes about his/her normal activities for one or two days