The main reason for the increase is the aging population, and half of the people suffering from atrial fibrillation are 80 years or older.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the blood is not pumped out properly of the heart's two upper chambers (atria), which eventually can make it clot. About 15 percent of strokes occur when such clot from the atria becomes lodged in the artery in the brain.

Argument: According to the study Prevalence of diagnosed atrial fibrillation in adults: national implications for rhythm management and stroke prevention: the AnTicoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation, between 5.0 and 6.3 million people in the US are projected to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.