Tanya Hall, founder and CEO of the Perth-based advocacy group Hearts4Heart, has a personal connection to heart disease. Diagnosed with congenital heart disease at six months old, she underwent her first heart operation at nine. At 17, she began experiencing symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that progressed over the next decade before she received a diagnosis and treatment to improve her quality of life.
Tanya is among more than half a million Australians living with AF, a lifelong and progressive heart condition, explains Dr. Tomos Walters, a cardiologist from the Queensland Cardiovascular Group in Brisbane.
“Atrial fibrillation is when the heart’s normal rhythm is replaced by chaotic electrical activity in the atria, the heart’s upper chambers,” Dr. Walters said. “This causes the ventricles, or pumping chambers, to beat irregularly, which reduces the heart’s efficiency.”
Symptoms vary widely among patients. Some feel nothing, while others face severe disruption. Common symptoms include palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, and fatigue.
The varied impact of AF raises concern among health professionals and advocates. AF is the leading cause of cardiovascular hospitalizations in Australia, costing the healthcare system about $1.63 billion annually. It also contributes to one in four strokes and increases the risk of dementia.
Dr. Walters warns that AF is a growing public health crisis as the population ages. “We worry about strokes, heart structure damage, heart failure, and the impact on quality of life,” he said.
A major challenge is that about 30 percent of people with AF remain unaware they have it. Justine Martin, a mother of two from Geelong, discovered her condition by chance after being hospitalized with a severe headache. An ECG showed her heart rate was 155 beats per minute, leading to an AF diagnosis.
Advocates emphasize that undiagnosed AF prevents people from seeking early treatment, which could slow disease progression and reduce complications.
Dr. Emily Kotschet, cardiologist at Holmesglen Private Hospital in Melbourne, notes many delay medical attention. “One in three Australians waited through four episodes before seeing a doctor, often hoping symptoms would pass,” she said.
Women, in particular, may experience atypical symptoms such as fatigue or breathlessness rather than classic palpitations, making detection harder.
Awareness remains low. A 2023 nationwide survey by Hearts4Heart found that one in three Australians—about 6.7 million people—did not know atrial fibrillation existed. A 2025 survey commissioned by Boston Scientific suggests little improvement.
Tanya Hall urges people not to wait to see a doctor. “Be heart smart. If you have a family history, symptoms, or are over 50, get your heart checked.”
Now living well with AF, Tanya stresses the importance of diagnosis and treatment. “With proper care, you can live a full and healthy life.”
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