How changes in the eyes may help spot AFib risk years early

• About 52.55 million people around the world are living with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
• People with AFib are at an increased risk for several health issues, including stroke and heart failure.
• It’s not uncommon for AFib to go undetected until it becomes a problem due to a lack of noticeable or unique symptoms.
• A new study says certain changes to the eye’s retina may help detect AFib as early as 4 years before diagnosis.

Researchers estimate that about 52.55 million people around the world are living with atrial fibrillation (AFib) — a cardiovascular condition where the beating of the upper and lower champers of the heart are out of sync, causing a “fluttering” or racing heartbeat.

People with AFib are at an increased risk for several health issues, including stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and dementia.

In many cases, AFib doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms or has symptoms shared with other common issues. For this reason, it’s not uncommon for AFib to go undetected until it becomes a problem.

A recent study found that about 62% of people with AFib didn’t realize they had it before being diagnosed.

Now, a new study published in the journal PLOS Digital Health presents evidence suggesting certain changes to the eye’s retina, or layer of cells in the back of the eye, may help detect AFib as early as 4 years before diagnosis.