Atrial fibillation in diabetes: Need for cardiovigilance

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the commonest arrhythmia in clinical practice, is also the commonest arrhythmia for which hospitalization is required. AF is associated with a 5 fold increase in stroke, a 2 fold increase in all-cause mortality, and a higher risk of heart failure. Hence, it is imperative to focus on the risk factors and clinical features of this condition, so that it can be prevented and managed in a timely manner. AF is linked with multiple metabolic and endocrine morbidities. This implies that the endocrinologist has an important role to play in AF detection and referral. This review, the first of a two part series, encourages preventive cardiovigilance, and especially electro-cardiovigilance, in diabetes practice.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, prevention of atrial fibrillation, cardiovigilance..