The study provides a comprehensive assessment of the global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) from 1990 to 2010, based on data from 21 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) regions. The estimated number of individuals with AF globally in 2010 was 33.5 million, with higher prevalence and incidence rates in males compared to females. The burden associated with AF, measured as disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), increased by 18.8% in males and 18.9% in females from 1990 to 2010. Mortality associated with AF was higher in females, increasing by 2-fold and 1.9-fold in males and females, respectively, over the same period. The study highlights the progressive increase in the overall burden, incidence, prevalence, and mortality associated with AF, emphasizing the need for systematic global surveillance to guide prevention and treatment strategies.The study provides a comprehensive assessment of the global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) from 1990 to 2010, based on data from 21 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) regions. The estimated number of individuals with AF globally in 2010 was 33.5 million, with higher prevalence and incidence rates in males compared to females. The burden associated with AF, measured as disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), increased by 18.8% in males and 18.9% in females from 1990 to 2010. Mortality associated with AF was higher in females, increasing by 2-fold and 1.9-fold in males and females, respectively, over the same period. The study highlights the progressive increase in the overall burden, incidence, prevalence, and mortality associated with AF, emphasizing the need for systematic global surveillance to guide prevention and treatment strategies.