Table 1: Modifiable Risk Factors Associated with Atrial Fibrillation that can be Targeted Through Optimal Treatment and Lifestyle Intervention.
| Conventional Risk Factors | Less Established Risk Factors | Emerging Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Coronary heart disease | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Subclinical atherosclerosis |
| Hypertension (>140/90 mmHg) | Left atrial dilatation | Borderline hypertension (between 120/80 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg) |
| Heart failure (with reserved and preserved ejection fraction) | Atrial conduction delay/PR interval | Chronic kidney disease |
| Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction | Subclinical hyperthyroidism | |
| Diabetes | Left ventricular hypertrophy | Inflammation |
| Hyperthyroidism | Elevated natriuretic peptides | |
| Obesity | Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome | Widened pulse pressure |
| Valvular heart disease | Excessive endurance exercise, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, caffeine intake |
Source: Adapted from J Am Coll Cardiol, 63, Wyse DG, Van Gelder IC, Ellinor PT, et al, Lone atrial fibrillation: does it exist?, 1715–23, 2014, with permission from Elsevier.[45]