Atrial fibrillation in women: epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, and prognosis

Women generally have lower age-adjusted incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) than men; however, given the greater longevity of women, the absolute number of men and women with AF is similarThe prevalence of major risk factors differ by sex; women have higher prevalence of hypertension and valvular heart disease, and lower prevalence of coronary heart disease, than menWomen are more likely to present with atypical symptoms, such as weakness and fatigue, have longer duration of symptoms, and report worse quality of life and more-frequent depression than menFemale sex has been shown to be a risk factor for AF-related stroke or thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and mortality, but has not been associated with incident heart failure or dementiaFuture research is needed to address the knowledge gaps in sex-specific differences in AF