CONGRESS ABSTRACT

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. While its prevalence rises with age, an increasing number of new diagnoses occur in individuals under 65. In younger adults, AF may significantly affect health-related quality of life (QoL), work capacity, and psychosocial functioning. Most evidence focuses on elderly populations, leaving the impact in younger cohorts underexplored. Methods: A narrative review was performed using PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL (2022–2025). Studies assessing QoL in AF patients aged <65 or reporting age-specific analyses were included. Validated instruments (AFEQT, SF-36, EQ-5D, EHRA) were considered. Five primary studies met inclusion criteria: Johnson et al., Nakamaru et al., Theunissen et al., Rush et al., and Linde et al.. Supplementary data from observational and interventional studies were used for context . Results: Younger AF patients (<65) consistently reported impaired QoL, particularly in physical, emotional, and social domains . Compared with older adults, they showed greater improvement after rhythm-control interventions, especially catheter ablation and structured treatment programs . QoL scores measured by AFEQT and SF-36 improved by 15–25 points within 6–12 months post-treatment . Younger age was associated with higher baseline functional status and larger post-treatment QoL gains . Persistent factors affecting QoL included anxiety, sleep disturbance, and comorbidities such as obesity and hypertension . Conclusions: AF in adults younger than 65 substantially affects daily functioning and perceived QoL. Early, targeted rhythm-control strategies and comprehensive risk-factor management yield significant improvements. Literature is limited by few randomized trials and age-specific analyses. Future research should prioritize QoL as a primary outcome in younger AF populations to guide personalized management and rehabilitation .