Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is defined as an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by the rapid and irregular beating of the atria. High blood pressure and valvular heart disease are the most common alterable risk factors for AF. The current study aimed to assess the causes and risk factors of atrial fibrillation in AF patients in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia and also to assess the associated morbidity for this condition.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients attending the cardiac center of Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia during the period from 1 March to 31 May 2018. Fifty adult AF subjects aged more than 20 years were included in the study.
Results: The majority of cases (72%) were males, 68% were aged between 40 to 60 years with a mean age of 49.6±6.4 (Range 22-76). Obesity was found in 4% of the cases, but 46% were overweight, and 2% were underweight. The majority (70%) of the cases were hypertensive, 64% were diabetic, 16% had heart failure, 4% had valvular heart diseases, 26% had ischemic heart disease, 18% had thyroid dysfunction, 14% had chronic kidney disease, 16% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 16% had prior stroke. Smoking was found to be positive in 62% of the cases.
Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation was more prevalent in males than females among the subjects attending the cardiac center of Arar. Overweight, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, thyroid dysfunction, and COPD were risk factors associated with morbidity.
Key words: Atrial fibrillation, cardiac center, causes, associated morbidity, Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia.
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