Admissions for atrial fibrillation have nearly tripled during two decades, with more Australians hospitalised for the condition than for either MI or heart failure, new research shows.

Furthermore, hospitalisations appear to be rising faster in Australia than in comparable countries such as the US, the authors warn.

The findings come from a study of Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data from 1993-2013, which shows AF hospitalisations increased by 295% over the period compared with a 73% increase for MI and a 39% increase for heart failure.

In 2013, there were 61,424 admissions, outstripping both the 54,116 admissions for MI and 53,643 for heart failure.