What is the global burden of atrial fibrillation and stroke?
The global burden of atrial fibrillation and stroke has been studied in regions outside of North America and Europe. According to a systematic review by Lip et al. (2012), the estimated global prevalence of atrial fibrillation is 1-2%, and stroke risk is 5-7 times higher in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to those without. Additionally, Freedman et al. (2016) found that risk factors such as age, hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke in individuals.  