Embargoed: 10 a.m. ET, Wednesday 05/12/99
Contact:
Erin Battison, Public Communications Inc.
312/558-1770 [email protected]
or Jason Kellogg, NASPE Newsroom 416/585-3500
TORONTO -- Women with atrial fibrillation -- the most common heart rhythm disorder -- are more likely to be disabled by symptoms of the condition, including shortness of breath, palpitations and fatigue, than are men with the same disorder. Research on the topic was presented here today at the 20th Annual Scientific Sessions of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE).
"Although the women in the study were objectively as healthy as the men with atrial fibrillation, they experienced a greater impairment in their quality of life," said Paul Dorian, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, where the study was conducted. "That means they either feel their symptoms more acutely, or they interpret their palpitations and other symptoms as being more serious. Either way, we need to figure out how to intervene, most likely by treating women more aggressively or working harder to provide information that will improve their understanding of atrial fibrillation."
Greater disability, including time off work and increased consumption of health care resources is the result when the quality of life is lowered. "This is not a trivial illness," said Dr. Dorian. "It accounts for 35 percent of all hospitalizations for heart rhythm disorders."
Atrial fibrillation is caused by a dysfunction in the heart's electrical system that prompts the heart's beat to become grossly irregular. It increases with aging and affects men somewhat more than women, including from 5 percent to 10 percent of all people age 60 and older. Atrial fibrillation is often associated with high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and valve disorders and can increase the risk of stroke. If treated properly, however, it is not life- threatening.
In the study, 172 men and 122 women who suffered from atrial fibrillation answered questionnaires about aspects of their quality of life. Women consistently reported being less physically and socially active, and feeling less vital than did men.
"Overall, the women reported that their quality of life was as bad as the average person who had recently had a heart attack, although heart attack is far more life-threatening," said Dr. Dorian. Even the men in the study reported experiencing poorer quality of life than they should, he said.
"A great deal of attention has been paid to the objective components of this disorder, such as what causes it and how it can be controlled. It is time for us to pay equal attention to the subjective components of atrial fibrillation, because it frequently causes a great deal more disability than meets the eye," Dr. Dorian said.
"Someone with a bad knee can experience quite a bit of disability, but most people are less disturbed by having a bad knee than a bad ticker," he said. "They're afraid they're going to die, or have a heart attack, even if they've been told otherwise."
Atrial fibrillation often can be controlled with one of several available medications to control the heart's rhythm. "Sometimes, physicians may avoid prescribing medications because of their potentially adverse side effects. It's important for us to recognize that the fear and anxiety that this condition causes in some patients may create an unacceptable level of disability. In these cases, we may need to treat it more aggressively," he said.
Co-authors of a paper on the study being presented by Dr. Dorian are: Miney Paquette, M.Sc.; Denis Roy, M.D.; Mario Talajic, M.D.; and David Newman, M.D.
Based in Natick, Mass., the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology is a professional organization of physicians, scientists and allied professionals throughout the world dedicated to the study and management of cardiac arrhythmias. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and training, and providing leadership towards optimal policies and standards.
# # #
[Editors note: For more information, contact the NASPE Web site at http://www.naspe.org.]
RSS