Atrial Fibrillation (AF), an increasingly prevalent and progressive heart condition, presents a huge challenge to the Australian healthcare system. Despite over half a million Australians living with AF, stigma about the condition still persists and it is often underdiagnosed and misunderstood. Yet in recent studies, nearly 30 percent of people with AF are unaware that they have this condition. This unfortunate lack of awareness contributes heavily to AF being the 3rd most common cardiovascular-related hospitalization.
Carried out in the fall of 2023 by hearts4heart, our nationwide survey of nearly 700 families revealed a stark truth. Worryingly, one in three Australians – about 6.7 million people – were unaware that atrial fibrillation (AF) was a thing at all! Tanya Hall, founder and CEO of hearts4heart, brought a deeply personal AF story that set the stage for why regulations needed changing. Even after suffering debilitating symptoms for more than ten years, the earliest treatment options did not help her symptoms fully return to normal until many years later.
I’d been diagnosed with congenital heart disease at six months old, and had my first heart operation by nine. Yet at age 17, I began having symptoms of atrial fibrillation. After AF progressed over 10 years, I was finally diagnosed and had treatment to improve my symptoms and quality of life,” said Hall.
AF is especially worrisome. It is responsible for an estimated 25% of strokes and increases the risk of dementia. Dr. Tomos Walters, a prominent cardiologist, described AF as “one of the largest and most pressing public health epidemics,” especially as Australia’s population ages. He underscored the fact that symptoms of the condition can be inconsistent, telling the story of how, “There are some people who just don’t feel it. There are some for whom it’s an absolute incapacitator, and most others in between.”
AF impacts people in vastly different ways, as some go on to develop disabling symptoms like palpitations and fatigue, while others stay completely asymptomatic. Justine Martin, a Geelong mother of two, discovered her diagnosis by chance after being rushed to the hospital for a severe headache. I was placed on an ECG machine and was told that my resting heart rate was a coronary acute level 155 beats per minute. This finding ultimately resulted in a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation my own.
It currently costs Australia an estimated $1.63 billion annually to manage the condition atrial fibrillation (AF). This figure points to the tremendous economic strain on the healthcare system. As AF progresses to become even more prevalent, public health advocates are urging efforts to increase early diagnosis and treatment.
Holmesglen Private Hospital’s Dr Emily Kotschet echoed this, noting that too often people wait until it’s too late and come in with serious, irreversible damage. “One in three Australians didn’t want to present when they had their first symptoms and waited for four episodes before they sought medical attention,” she noted. This hesitation is usually rooted in ignoring the first signs or symptoms, or wishing them away to fix themselves.
Women tend to have atypical presentation from men in terms of symptoms, like fatigue instead of the classical non-classic irregular palpitations. Dr. Kotschet explained this variance further: “Women often present with different symptoms, so maybe not classic irregular palpitations. They might feel short of breath or just fatigue, unable to do their usual activities.”
This need for awareness and a proactive approach to healthcare is supported by Tanya Hall. “Be heart smart. If there’s a family history of heart disease, if you’re having any symptoms, or you’re over the age of 50, then please go and get your heart checked,” she urged.
As AF’s influence continues to expand within Australia’s healthcare landscape, we must continue to educate and advocate. That’s because more Australians are getting smart with their heart. We look forward to the positive impact that early intervention will have on the future of people living with this challenging condition.
