Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Factors - Risk Factors
Age, family history and genetics, lifestyle, heart disease or other medical conditions, race, sex, and a history of surgery can all raise your risk of developing the structural and electrical anomalies that cause atrial fibrillation. Even in a healthy heart, a fast or slow heart rate—from exercising or sleeping, for example—can trigger atrial fibrillation.
Age
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Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Factors
The risk of atrial fibrillation increases as you age, especially after age 65. Atrial fibrillation is rare in children, but it does occur, especially in boys and in children who have obesity.
Family history and genetics
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Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Factors
If someone in your family has had atrial fibrillation, you have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, too. Scientists have found some genes with mutations that raise the risk of atrial fibrillation. Some of these genes influence fetal organ development or heart cell ion channels. Sometimes these genetic patterns are also linked to heart disease. Some genetic factors may raise the risk of atrial fibrillation in combination with such factors as age, weight, or sex.
Lifestyle habits
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Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Factors
Some lifestyle habits can raise or lower your risk of atrial fibrillation, including the following:
- Alcohol. Drinking large amounts of alcohol, especially binge drinking, raises your risk of atrial fibrillation. Even modest amounts of alcohol can trigger atrial fibrillation in some people.
- Illegal drugs. Some street drugs, such as cocaine, can trigger atrial fibrillation or make it worse.
- Physical activity. Some competitive athletes and people—men, in particular—participating in endurance sports or exerting themselves at work may have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. At the same time, moderate physical activity can have a protective effect. Physical fitness appears to be linked to a lower risk of atrial fibrillation.
- Smoking. Studies have found that smoking increases the risk of atrial fibrillation. The risk appears to be higher the longer you smoke and decreases if you quit. Exposure to secondhand smoke, even in the womb, can increase a child’s risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
- Stress. Stressful situations, panic disorders, and other types of emotional stress may be linked to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
Other medical conditions
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Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Factors
Many other medical conditions can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation, especially heart problems. As you age, having more than one condition may increase your risk. Conditions that raise the risk of atrial fibrillation include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Conduction disorders
- Congenital heart defects
- Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart inflammation
- Heart tissue that is too thick or stiff
- Heart valve diseases
- High blood pressure
- Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid gland
- Ischemic heart disease
- Lung diseases, including COPD
- Obesity
- Sarcoidosis
- Sleep apnea
- Venous thromboembolism
Race or ethnicity
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Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Factors
In the United States, atrial fibrillation is more common among whites than among African Americans, Hispanic Americans, or Asian Americans. Although people of European ancestry are more likely to develop the condition, African Americans with atrial fibrillation are more likely to have complications such as stroke, heart failure, or ischemic heart disease.
Surgery
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Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Factors
You may be at risk for atrial fibrillation in the early days and weeks after surgery of the heart, lungs, or esophagus. Surgery to correct a congenital heart defect can also raise the risk of atrial fibrillation. This can happen years after a childhood surgery or when you have surgery as an adult to correct a lifelong condition.