On the occasion of World Stroke Day, October 29, a survey reveals that the French have poor knowledge of atrial fibrillation, even though it increases the risk by 5.
- According to a survey conducted by Opinion Way, for Omron Santé, only 31% of French people cite atrial fibrillation as the main risk factor for stroke.
- When asked for a definition of this heart rhythm disorder, 15% of adults surveyed said it was an inflammation of the connective tissue in the ear.
- In addition, 83% of people underestimate the prevalence of this arrhythmia.
Age, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity… Several factors can cause a stroke, which represents a major cause of mortality in France. According to a survey conducted by Opinion Way, for Omron Health, on the occasion of World Stroke Day, some are better known than others by the general public. Indeed, those surveyed identify high blood pressure as the main risk factor for stroke (70%) before family history of stroke (60%) and smoking (56%).
Stroke: only 31% of adults cite atrial fibrillation as a main risk factor
However, only 31% of adults cite atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder that accelerates the heart and causes it to beat irregularly. In detail, this arrhythmia can lead to the formation of clots in the heart chambers. When one of these clots is carried in the blood, it can block a blood vessel in the brain and cause a stroke.
This risk factor should be taken seriously, because it increases the risk of stroke by 5. But according to data, 4 out of 5 French people do not know exactly what atrial fibrillation is. This figure reaches 16% among those aged 65 and over. “Of the 62% of people who give a wrong answer as to the definition of atrial fibrillation, 15% think it is an inflammation of the connective tissue of the ear, 14% think it is a excessive increase in pressure in the arteries which persists over time, or 6% think it is an inflammation of the joint of the little finger of the hand!”
Most French people underestimate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation
The study also shows that 83% of adults underestimate the prevalence of this risk factor (79% among those aged 65 and over). As a reminder, atrial fibrillation affects nearly a million people in France and this number “is expected to double by 2050 to reach 2 million adults.” However, more than a third of French people lack information regarding the link between high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation.
