Germany heart report shows rising rhythm disorder hospitalizations

According to the German Heart Report 2026, heart rhythm disorders remain a major cause of mortality and hospitalization in Germany. In 2024, hospitalizations due to these disorders rose to 532 per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 520 the previous year. Total hospitalizations for rhythm disorders reached 509,490 in 2024.

Atrial fibrillation is becoming increasingly significant due to demographic shifts. Approximately 1.6 million people in Germany suffer from the condition, which accounts for 20 to 30 percent of ischemic strokes. Professor Thomas Voigtländer of the Deutsche Herzstiftung noted that the number of patients with atrial fibrillation could double over the next three decades, particularly affecting those aged 65 and older.

While mortality from heart rhythm disorders saw a slight decrease to 29.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024 compared to 2023, the rate remains 1.1 percent higher than in 2019. Therapeutic trends show a steady increase in the use of catheter ablation to treat the condition.