Hidden Beats: Detection of Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation Using Questionnaires in Young Adults and Its Cardiovascular Risk Profile

Abstract

Objectives The objectives were to identify subclinical AF in young individuals and to examine its association with cardiovascular risk profile and quality of life (QoL) in a young adult cohort. Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 403 adults aged 18-40 years in public and private hospitals. Methods The INTERHEART Modifiable Risk Score (IHMRS), Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) questionnaire, and the Modified European Heart Rhythm Association (mEHRA) were used to collect data. The statistics were performed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression in IBM SPSS 26. Results Of the 403 respondents, the majority were male (85%) and aged 36-40 (30%). A stronger negative correlation with QoL (0.42, p < 0.001) and a weaker positive correlation with cardiovascular risk (0.13, p = 0.009) were observed between higher EHRA symptom severity and cardiovascular risk. There was also a negative correlation between QoL and IHMRS (r = -0.29, p  = < 0.001). Women presented with greater symptoms and low QoL (p < 0.001). The regression analysis showed that predictors of better IHMRS were age, male gender, higher EHRA scores, physical inactivity, and a family history of CVD. In contrast, better QoL was a protective factor (p < 0.01). Conclusions Subclinical AF symptoms were highly correlated with increased cardiovascular risks and decreased QoL in young adults. Early detection of high-risk individuals, especially in settings with limited resources, could be achieved through simple questionnaire-based screening