Figure 6. Time free from AF by sex, race, and risk factors.

Survival curves adjusted for age, study center, education, and height showing time free from AF according to risk factor group (optimal, borderline, or elevated) in white women (A), white men (B), African American women (C), and African American men (D). The numbers of subjects at risk throughout the duration of study follow-up are shown on the x axis. An optimal risk factor profile was defined as no history of cardiac disease (HF or CHD); systolic BP <120 mm Hg, diastolic BP <80 mm Hg, and no use of antihypertensive medication; body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m²; fasting serum glucose <100 mg/dL, no use of antidiabetic medication, and no history of physician-diagnosed diabetes mellitus; and never a smoker. A borderline risk factor profile was defined as having any of the following criteria and no elevated risk factor profile characteristics: systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm Hg and no use of antihypertensive medication; BMI of 25 to <30 kg/m²; fasting serum glucose 100 to 125 mg/dL, no use of antidiabetic medication, and no history of physician-diagnosed diabetes mellitus; and a former smoker. An elevated risk factor profile was defined as having any of the following criteria: history of cardiac disease (HF or CHD); systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, or use of antihypertensive medication; BMI ≥30 kg/m²; fasting serum glucose ≥126 mg/dL, use of antidiabetic medication, or history of physician diagnosed diabetes mellitus; or a current smoker. Republished with permission from Huxley RR, Lopez FL, Folsom AR, et al. Absolute and attributable risks of atrial fibrillation in relation to optimal and borderline risk factors: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Circulation. 2011 Apr 12;123(14):1501–8.