Researchers at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City have found patients who have atrial fibrillation are at significantly higher risk for complications from COVID-19.

The study looked at 3,119 IHC patients who had a prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and tested positive for COVID-19 between March 2020 and May 2021.

The study showed patients with a history of atrial fibrillation who have COVID-19 are not only more likely to need hospitalization, ventilator support and intensive care, but are also 62% more likely to suffer a major cardiovascular event, such as heart failure hospitalization. These people are also 40% more likely to die than people who do not have the condition.

“We often think of atrial fibrillation as more of a nuisance arrhythmia that can cause unpleasant symptoms and some negative clinical impacts, but is generally not life-threatening,” said Dr. Michael J. Cutler, lead investigator of the study and a heart rhythm specialist at the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute. “However, the findings of our study suggest that patients with atrial fibrillation are at higher risk than the general population for serious complications from COVID-19 illness.”

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia in adults. Symptoms include an irregular, and often very rapid, heart rhythm abnormality in the upper chambers of the heart. People with this condition can experience weakness, shortness of breath and palpitations. The condition also increases the risk for stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can become more severe.

Cutler said it’s important for patients with atrial fibrillation to know they are in a higher risk category and should take appropriate precautions against the virus. These include wearing a mask and social distancing when appropriate and getting vaccinated.

Findings from the study were presented this week at the American Heart Association’s 2021 Scientific Session.

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