Some patients with AF have fears about diagnosis, but many are not treated promptly
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In a survey conducted for Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, researchers found that more than one-quarter of adults with AF have fears about their diagnosis, but many do not feel the urgency to get treated immediately.
Among adults aged 55 years or older from the general population, a majority were aware of AF, but most had not spoken to their doctor about it, according to the survey.
The survey, sponsored by Biosense Webster, which included 101 patients with AF aged 18 years or older and 1,000 adults from the general population aged 55 years or older, was conducted as a way to gauge behaviors and understanding of treatment options among patients with AF and to determine the extent to which people at risk for AF due to age understand its symptoms and risk for disease progression, according to a press release issued by the company.
Healio spoke with Dhanunjaya R. Lakkireddy, MD, clinical electrophysiologist and medical director for the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health and professor of medicine at the University of Missouri, Columbia, about the results of the survey, the implications for patient care and the ways in which cardiologists and electrophysiologists can collaborate to improve care of the AF population.
Healio: What is the typical path to care for a patient presenting with new-onset AF?
Lakkireddy: The typical pathway for someone who comes in and is diagnosed with AF is seeing their primary care doctor, and then being referred to a cardiologist. Medication is often the first-line treatment when a patient is diagnosed with AF. If medication is not effective in treating their AF, the cardiologist will often refer patients to an electrophysiologist, who will suggest other treatment options, such as catheter ablation.
Healio: What is the potential if cardiologists and electrophysiologists (EPs) partner more closely for AF care?
Lakkireddy: If cardiologists and EPs partner more closely for AF care, it will provide quicker and more effective care for the patient and allow for a more streamlined approach to care. It could also help fast track access to care, which can have many benefits including prevention of stroke.
Healio: What lessons have been learned so far about cardiologists and EPs partnering for AF care?
Lakkireddy: Lessons learned so far about cardiologists and EPs partnering for AF care mainly include happiness and satisfaction from both the doctors involved and the patients. Patients can get the care they need in a shorter amount of time and doctors are relieved that there is an established clear pathway for them to send their patients on and feel confident that they will get the care they need to treat their AF. It is important that the cardiologists and EPs continue to have a clear path of communication throughout the patient’s care, making sure that they both agree on the care being given and that outcomes are positive, and the patient can return to their life before AF.
Healio: What are the implications for the future?
Lakkireddy: If cardiologists and EPs can partner together on AF cases as a routine care pathway, both patients and doctors will most likely have better outcomes and be happier with the quality of care they are able to give or receive. In addition, findings from the Biosense Webster-funded survey shed a light on the importance of increasing patient knowledge of AF symptoms and treatment options, and why it’s critical to talk to your doctor as soon as you recognize the symptoms associated with AF.
Healio: Why was the PulseCheck survey undertaken?
Lakkireddy: The survey was conducted to assess the awareness and understanding of AF. Specially, the goal was to uncover insights into patient experience and perceptions including burden of the disease, awareness of AF symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options, challenges and barriers of treatment timing and decisions, and understand if differences in awareness of treatment options and access to care.
Healio: What did the PulseCheck survey reveal about behaviors of patients with AF?
Lakkireddy: Among adults diagnosed with AF, survey responses revealed that more than one-quarter live with fears and anxiety about the progressive nature of the disease, but in many cases lack a sense of urgency to treat following their initial AF diagnosis.
One-third are fearful of having a stroke, heart failure or blood clot. However, one-quarter of patients did not get their AF treated immediately after diagnosis and 44% of patients have ended up in the emergency room due to their AF.
Patients with AF feel they are informed of their treatment options (91%) and most (80%) say their doctor has discussed these options with them. Almost all are aware of blood thinners (99%) and medications (95%), and a majority are aware of lifestyle changes (82%). However, only slightly more than a half are aware of catheter ablation (57%) and cardioversion (55%) procedures.
Healio: What did the PulseCheck survey reveal about the gaps in understanding about AF?
Lakkireddy: The survey revealed adults 55 years and older have a general awareness of AF, though it’s not top of mind when they visit the doctor themselves.
More than half (57%) responded they are aware of AF, with one-third revealing they know someone who has been diagnosed. One-fifth said they are a caregiver to someone with AF.
After being shown a description of risk factors and symptoms of AF, 58% of adults 55 years or older considered themselves to be at risk.
Even though half of adults believe they may be at risk for developing AF, only 18% say their doctor has discussed AF with them and only 10% have ever proactively spoken to their doctor about it. Two-fifths of adults 55 years or older say they never thought to ask their doctor about AF (41%) and didn’t think their doctor considered them to be at risk (40%).
Less than half (46%) feel informed about treatment options for AF — most are familiar with lifestyle changes (63%) and blood thinners (62%) as treatments for AF.
Healio: Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Lakkireddy: If you are diagnosed with AF, it’s important to consult with your physician or cardiologist in a timely manner. AF is a progressive disease, so the longer it is left untreated, the more likely it will worsen and could lead to other serious complications like heart disease or stroke.
Reference:
- Biosense Webster. www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/news-events/biosense-webster-afib-survey-findings-reveal-surprising-patient-behaviors-and-risk. Published Sept. 13, 2022. Accessed Sept. 28, 2022.
For more information:
Dhanunjaya R. Lakkireddy, MD, can be reached at dhanunjaya.lakkireddy@hcahealthcare.com.
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