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UK facing costly "epidemic" of heart pump disturbance (atrial fibrillation)

February 13, 2004

The UK is facing a costly "epidemic" of a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, reveals research in Heart. Conservative estimates suggest that costs have almost doubled in five years, soaring to over £500 million in 2000.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the electrical signals, which keep the heart pumping, become disturbed. The two upper chambers of the heart quiver, rather than pump, which allows some of the blood to pool (and clot) in the chambers, rather than being forced out. This increases the risk of stroke.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common of all the heart rhythm abnormalities, with around one in every 100 of the UK population affected. But it becomes more common with age: one in 10 people over the age of 65 will have it.

The authors base their findings on a comprehensive assessment of population statistics, prescribing data, general practitioner consultations, hospital admissions and outpatient visits, and long term residential care.

In 1995, 534,000 people in the UK had atrial fibrillation. The cost of treating them was £244 million (Euros 350 million), equivalent to 0.6% of the entire NHS budget. Hospital treatment accounted for half this figure, and drug treatment for 20%. Long term nursing home care cost an additional £46 million (Euros 66 million).

Adjusting for the progressive ageing of the UK population and rising healthcare costs, the authors calculated the same costs for 2000. The direct healthcare costs had risen to £459 million (Euro 655 million), equivalent to almost 1% of the total NHS budget. Nursing home costs also rose to £111 million (Euro 160 million).

The authors conclude that the costs are set to escalate further, given the increasing numbers of elderly people in the population and more effective treatments for underlying conditions closely associated with atrial fibrillation. These include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and heart failure.

British Medical Journal (BMJ)

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