A global collaboration to reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation and advance its quantification and treatment

REDEFINING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION FROM “YES” OR “NO” TO WHAT REALLY MATTERS

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder that becomes more prevalent with age, affecting about one in three people by age 55. It can lead to serious health problems, including stroke, heart failure, and premature death. Overall, AF accounts for up to 2–3% of all healthcare costs in Europe and North America^1,2. Currently, AF is mostly diagnosed as simple “yes” or “no”, which lacks precision and often leads to confusion or anxiety in patients, especially when minor episodes are detected by pacemakers or by wearables, such as smartwatches.

AF-B-STEP is an international research project that brings together hospitals, universities, industry partners, patient groups, and healthcare payors to improve how AF is measured, quantified, and treated. The consortium will analyse data from more than 100,000 people to estimate the population-wide burden of AF, identify which types of AF pose the greatest risk, and determine how AF burden increases likelihood of stroke or heart failure. It will also establish standards for how medical devices and consumer wearables should measure and report AF.

The findings will help clinicians make informed decisions on diagnosis and treatment, support better healthcare decisions, and guide European innovation and regulation. Ultimately, AF-B-STEP aims to reduce AF-related deaths and disability, improve the patients’ quality of life, and lower healthcare costs.

¹ https://academic.oup.com/ehjqcco/article/8/2/187/6042692

² https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667193X25001206