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Provo Today
By the People, for the People
Experts Warn of Rising Irregular Heartbeat Cases, Urge Early Treatment
Atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia, is expected to increase by over 60% by 2050, doctors say.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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Doctors at Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital are warning that irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, are on the rise and can signal serious heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation (AFib). Symptoms like palpitations, fatigue, and chest pain should not be ignored, as early treatment can prevent complications like stroke. Factors like age, high blood pressure, obesity, and excessive caffeine or alcohol use can increase AFib risk, but the condition is treatable through medications, lifestyle changes, and procedures like catheter ablation.
Why it matters
As the population ages and unhealthy lifestyle factors become more prevalent, doctors expect a significant rise in AFib and other arrhythmia cases in the coming decades. Early detection and treatment are crucial to managing these conditions and preventing serious complications like stroke.
The details
Arrhythmias can cause the heart to beat too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. The most common type is atrial fibrillation (AFib), which doctors say they are seeing more often in younger patients. Factors that can increase AFib risk include advancing age, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, heavy alcohol use, and excessive caffeine intake, particularly from energy drinks. While AFib is treatable, doctors warn that ignoring symptoms like palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain can lead to more serious issues like stroke if left unchecked.
- Doctors predict AFib cases will rise more than 60% by 2050.
The players
Dr. Leenhapong Navaravong
An electrophysiologist at Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital.
Dr. David Wang
An electrophysiologist at Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital.
What they’re saying
“A lot of times, AFib becomes a wake-up call for some of our patients.”
— Dr. David Wang, Electrophysiologist (ksltv.com)
“That makes the heart quite unhappy.”
— Dr. David Wang, Electrophysiologist (ksltv.com)
“It's something to do with aging of the heart, not necessarily the chronological age, but sometimes the age has to do with the inflammation that one exposes the heart to.”
— Dr. David Wang, Electrophysiologist (ksltv.com)
“We can start by prescribing medications to slow down the heart rate in AFib.”
— Dr. Leenhapong Navaravong, Electrophysiologist (ksltv.com)
“In this day and age, tolerating AFib is not necessary if you want to get it treated.”
— Dr. David Wang, Electrophysiologist (ksltv.com)
What’s next
Doctors say patients with new or worsening symptoms, or who receive irregular heart rhythm alerts from smartwatches, should speak with their healthcare provider about treatment options to manage their condition and prevent complications.
The takeaway
As the prevalence of risk factors like obesity and unhealthy lifestyles continues to rise, early detection and treatment of irregular heartbeats and arrhythmias will be crucial to managing the expected surge in cases of conditions like atrial fibrillation and preventing serious health consequences.
