Risk factors modification in atrial fibrillation: a brief review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by fibrillatory waves in the atria with an irregular ventricular rhythm. It is the most common arrhythmia treated in clinical practice. AF is associated with approximately five-fold increase in risk of cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and two-fold increase in cognitive dysfunction and all-cause mortality.

Areas Covered

Multiple risk factors have been identified for development of AF including age, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Primary and secondary prevention strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of AF can have a dramatic clinical and economic impact. Multiple studies have shown that lifestyle interventions can reduce predisposing factors, reverse the pathophysiology behind AF, and decrease disease burden. In this brief review we aim at exploring the current state of knowledge regarding risk factor modifications that decrease incidence and prevalence of AF.

Expert Opinion

This is an evolving field of research and further studies to elucidate the magnitude of effect of these interventions as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms driving these effects are underway.

KEYWORDS:

• Atrial fibrillation
• stroke
• obesity
• lifestyle
• smoking
• prevention

Article highlights

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia treated in clinical practice.

• AF is associated with approximately five-fold increase in risk of cerebrovascular accident (stroke), two-fold increase in cognitive dysfunction and all-cause mortality.

• In this paper we discuss several modifiable risk factors for incidence of AF and how they can be addressed.

• Addressing the modifiable risk factors can not only decrease the incidence of AF in the general population but can also supplement ablation and anti-arrhythmic drug in the maintenance of sinus rhythm.

• This is an evolving field of research and further mechanistic studies to elucidate the magnitude of effect of these interventions as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms driving these effects are essential.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper received no funding.