Article,
Atrial fibrillation: comorbidities, lifestyle, and patient factors
Affiliations
- [1] Brownlow Group GP Practice, Liverpool, United Kingdom [NORA names: United Kingdom; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
- [2] University of Liverpool [NORA names: United Kingdom; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
- [3] Seoul National University Hospital [NORA names: South Korea; Asia, East; OECD];
- [4] Aalborg University [NORA names: AAU Aalborg University; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
- [5] Severance Hospital [NORA names: South Korea; Asia, East; OECD];
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Abstract
Modern anticoagulation therapy has dramatically reduced the risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AF still impairs quality of life, increases the risk of stroke and heart failure, and is linked to cognitive impairment. There is also a recognition of the residual risk of thromboembolic complications despite anticoagulation. Hence, AF management is evolving towards a more comprehensive understanding of risk factors predisposing to the development of this arrhythmia, its' complications and interventions to mitigate the risk. This review summarises the recent advances in understanding of risk factors for incident AF and managing these risk factors. It includes a discussion of lifestyle, somatic, psychological, and socioeconomic risk factors. The available data call for a practice shift towards a more individualised approach considering an increasingly broader range of health and patient factors contributing to AF-related health burden. The review highlights the needs of people living with co-morbidities (especially with multimorbidity), polypharmacy and the role of the changing population demographics affecting the European region and globally.