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News Release

Heart Month Interviews: AFib Rising In Adults Under 65 - 02/24/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 23, 2025) ~ More adults in their 40s, 50s and early 60s are being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder long associated with older patients, and cardiologists say the shift has significant implications for long-term heart and stroke risk. This Heart Month, cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Jeffrey Lin, MD, is available for interviews to discuss why AFib is increasingly being diagnosed in people younger than traditional retirement age, and what midlife adults should know about symptoms, stroke risk, and prevention.

 

Recent large-scale studies show more than 25 percent of people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation are now under age 65, driven by rising rates of high blood pressure, obesity, sleep apnea, alcohol use and smoking, along with wider use of ECGs (electrocardiograms) and wearable heart monitors that can detect irregular heart rhythms earlier. At the same time, U.S. mortality data show AFib-related death rates among non-elderly adults have risen over the past two decades, underscoring the importance of early detection and prevention.

 

"Many people still think of atrial fibrillation as a condition that only affects older adults, but we're seeing it more often in patients in their 40s and 50s," said Dr. Lin. "The good news is there are clear steps people can take to lower their risk, from managing blood pressure and weight to addressing sleep apnea and reducing alcohol and tobacco use. Recognizing symptoms early is also critical because early treatment makes a difference."

 

Interviews available:

Dr. Jeffrey Lin, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m.- noon. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

 

​Dr. Lin is prepared to discuss:

  • Why atrial fibrillation is being diagnosed more often in adults under 65
  • Key risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, sleep apnea, alcohol use, and smoking
  • Symptoms people should not ignore and when to seek medical care
  • The link between AFib and stroke risk, and why early diagnosis matters
  • Prevention strategies and lifestyle changes that support heart rhythm health

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states a nd the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org. 

Heart Month Interviews: AFib Rising In Adults Under 65 - 02/24/26

PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 23, 2025) ~ More adults in their 40s, 50s and early 60s are being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder long associated with older patients, and cardiologists say the shift has significant implications for long-term heart and stroke risk. This Heart Month, cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Jeffrey Lin, MD, is available for interviews to discuss why AFib is increasingly being diagnosed in people younger than traditional retirement age, and what midlife adults should know about symptoms, stroke risk, and prevention.

 

Recent large-scale studies show more than 25 percent of people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation are now under age 65, driven by rising rates of high blood pressure, obesity, sleep apnea, alcohol use and smoking, along with wider use of ECGs (electrocardiograms) and wearable heart monitors that can detect irregular heart rhythms earlier. At the same time, U.S. mortality data show AFib-related death rates among non-elderly adults have risen over the past two decades, underscoring the importance of early detection and prevention.

 

"Many people still think of atrial fibrillation as a condition that only affects older adults, but we're seeing it more often in patients in their 40s and 50s," said Dr. Lin. "The good news is there are clear steps people can take to lower their risk, from managing blood pressure and weight to addressing sleep apnea and reducing alcohol and tobacco use. Recognizing symptoms early is also critical because early treatment makes a difference."

 

Interviews available:

Dr. Jeffrey Lin, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m.- noon. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

 

​Dr. Lin is prepared to discuss:

  • Why atrial fibrillation is being diagnosed more often in adults under 65
  • Key risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, sleep apnea, alcohol use, and smoking
  • Symptoms people should not ignore and when to seek medical care
  • The link between AFib and stroke risk, and why early diagnosis matters
  • Prevention strategies and lifestyle changes that support heart rhythm health

About Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states a nd the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.