New-onset atrial fibrillation risk factors: Asian vs Western populations

Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart arrhythmia, is linked to increased risk of stroke, emboli, heart failure, and heart attack¹.  Incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) are increasing in both Asian and Western countries; however, some NOAF risk factors affect Asian and Western countries differently.  Rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, and excess alcohol consumption are more potent NOAF risk factors in Asians than in Western populations, while hypertension and BMI are stronger risk factors in Western populations¹.  It is important to identify and monitor risk factors for NOAF for stroke prevention.

¹Li, Y. et al. (2018). Risk factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation: A focus on Asian populations. International Journal of Cardiology,261, 92-98. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.02.051