Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia with increasing incidence worldwide. Much focus has been directed towards AF prevention, given the morbidity and mortality from stroke, heart failure, and dementia. There are a number of common conditions associated with the onset of AF including, but not limited to, increased alcohol consumption, body weight, exercise, and stress. To reduce the incidence of AF, public health campaigns and targeted patient interventions may be warranted to promote balanced alcohol intake, appropriate exercise, and stress management to prevent AF and associated comorbidity. In this narrative review, we consider the evidence linking these risk factors with AF, putative mechanisms underlying the association, and whether risk factor modification may reduce AF burden.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia with increasing incidence worldwide. Much focus has been directed towards AF prevention, given the morbidity and mortality from stroke, heart failure, and dementia. There are a number of common conditions associated with the onset of AF including, but not limited to, increased alcohol consumption, body weight, exercise, and stress. To reduce the incidence of AF, public health campaigns and targeted patient interventions may be warranted to promote balanced alcohol intake, appropriate exercise, and stress management to prevent AF and associated comorbidity. In this narrative review, we consider the evidence linking these risk factors with AF, putative mechanisms underlying the association, and whether risk factor modification may reduce AF burden.