Patients with atrial fibrillation are more likely to develop non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) report researchers from the Mayo Clinic. Moreover, women with atrial fibrillation are more likely than men to develop the condition. This study was presented at the American Academy of Neurology meeting this month in Hawaii.
The study looked at 1,450 patients over the age of 70 who had a medical history of atrial fibrillation. Of the patients identified, researchers noted how many developed non-amnestic MCI. In general, those with atrial fibrillation had a 1.7 percent increased risk of developing non-amnestic MCI. However, in women, this risk was 2.9 percent higher for patients with atrial fibrillation than without.
Non-amnestic MCI is where memory is not impaired but there is impairment in other aspects of cognition including thinking and judgment.
In this blog post, Rosebud Roberts, M.D., an epidemiologist at Mayo Clinic, discusses the groups findings. Her main message is that atrial fibrillation is a treatable condition so doctors and patients, especially women, need to be diligent in treating abnormal heart rhythms to prevent non-amnestic MCI.
