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Cardiovascular disease claims more lives than any other health condition in the U.S., with one person dying from it every 33 seconds.1 Arrhythmias, which are disruptions in the heart’s normal rhythm, represent a prevalent, yet often overlooked, aspect of cardiovascular health. These disruptions in the heart’s electrical system can cause palpitations, dizziness, fainting, or can even present without symptoms. Without timely detection, arrhythmias can escalate into more severe cardiac complications, such as stroke or heart failure.
That’s why early detection is key. We recently sat down with Sheila Pensler, MBA, RN, director of market access and payer relations at iRhythm Technologies, to discuss why health plans should prioritize arrhythmia detection. Read on to learn about the cost-saving potential of early detection, what technologies are being leveraged to improve detection rates, and how these efforts are reshaping patient care.
Why is it important for health plans to prioritize arrhythmia detection when managing members with potential cardiovascular disease?
In my five years at iRhythm, I’ve been struck by the impact of heart disease in the U.S. As the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., cardiovascular conditions encompass conditions like stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation (AFib). Projections show that AFib could affect up to 12 million Americans by 2030,2 yet monitoring doesn’t always happen early enough. This not only has dire consequences for patient health, but also significantly drives up costs, with AFib alone costing the U.S. between $6–26 billion annually.3 Late arrhythmia detection can necessitate expensive treatments for escalating conditions, burdening the healthcare system and health plans alike.