- Atrial fibrillation involves an irregular heart rhythm and is an important risk factor for stroke.
- While age, sex, and genetics are non-modifiable risk factors for atrial fibrillation, physical activity levels, obesity, smoking, and management of comorbid conditions are some of the major modifiable risk factors.
- Socioeconomic factors and access to health care also influence the management of atrial fibrillation and comorbid conditions.
- A recent review summarized evidence on the role of the multitude of risk factors in atrial fibrillation incidence and morbidity.
- These risk factors tend to vary from one person to another and thus underscore the need for individualized care for atrial fibrillation.
In addition to widely known risk factors associated with cardiovascular health, such as physical activity, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, the presence of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and mental health conditions, are also associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
A recent review published in
The review highlights the need for multidisciplinary, individualized care to help manage atrial fibrillation and reduce the risk of death and of developing other health conditions.
Dr. Stephen Tang, MD, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, not involved in this research, explained to Medical News Today:
“The comprehensive management of atrial fibrillation goes well beyond oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention or rate or rhythm control with medication or ablation. This complex disease is driven by numerous risk factors and comorbidities.”
“If…
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