Atrial fibrillation risk factors

Overview
The most common cause of atrial fibrillation is atrial dilation associated with hypertension. Approximately 1/3 of patients have familial atrial fibrillation which is due to an underlying genetic disorder. Given the number of patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting in the developed world, this is an increasing underlying cause of atrial fibrillation. Other general causes include the advancing age of the population this hemodynamic stress of heart failure and valvular heart disease, myocardial ischemia, a variety of inflammatory disorders, pulmonary diseases, alcohol and drug abuse, and endocrine disorders.

Reversible or Modifiable Underlying Conditions Associated with Atrial Fibrillation

 * Alcohol and alcohol withdrawal
 * Breath spray which contains alcohol
 * Caffeine
 * Cocaine
 * Coffee
 * Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
 * Esophageal surgery
 * Ethanol
 * Hyperthyroidism
 * Hypothermia
 * Hypothyroidism
 * Hypoxia
 * Pericarditis and pericardial disease in general
 * Pheochromocytoma
 * Pulmonary embolism
 * Stimulants
 * Tea

Risk Stratification

 * Once a patient develops atrial fibrillation, their risk of subsequent events can be assessed using the following tow scores:

CHA2DS2-VASc Score

 * The risk of bleeding associated with anticoagulation can be assessed using the following score:

Risk factors for Ischemic Stroke or Systemic Embolization in patient with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation
Numbers represents relative risks
 * 1) Advanced age (continuous, per decade)                                           1.4
 * 2) History of hypertension                                                     1.6
 * 3) Heart failure or impaired left ventricular systolic function                1.4
 * 4) Coronary artery disease (CAD)                                               1.5
 * 5) Diabetes mellitus (DM)                                                      1.7
 * 6) Previous stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)                      2.5