Screening for Atrial Fibrillation using Smartphone-based Technology and Layperson Volunteers: High-Tech Meets Community Participatory Research for the Best of Both Worlds

Atrial fibrillation (AF), usually asymptomatic and not previously-diagnosed, increases risk of stroke by five times1 and accounts for 15-25% of strokes. 2 Asymptomatic AF is estimated to affect 600,000 Americans, with an estimated cost of 3 billion dollars per year.3 Just because we can identify a risk factor does not mean screening for it will save lives. AF, however, meets most criteria laid out in the World Health Organization ’s manifesto on screening, “Principles and Practice of Screening for Disease”.
Source: Heart Rhythm - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research