Download A4Medicine Mobile App
Empower Your RCGP AKT Journey: Master the MCQs with Us! 🚀
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with significant morbidity and mortality, including an increased risk of stroke and heart failure. The risk factors for AF can be broadly classified into **modifiable** and **non-modifiable** categories.
**Non-modifiable risk factors** include age, genetic predisposition, and gender, which cannot be altered but play a critical role in the disease's onset and progression.
**Modifiable risk factors** are lifestyle-related or clinical conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption, which can be managed or treated to reduce the risk of developing AF.
Understanding and addressing these risk factors is crucial in both the prevention and management of atrial fibrillation.
| Category | Risk Factor | Underlying Pathological Process |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Modifiable Factors | Age | Advanced age leads to structural changes in the atria (e.g., fibrosis) and reduced conduction pathways, increasing susceptibility to AF. |
| Sex | Men are at higher risk, possibly due to sex hormone influences on cardiovascular health; however, women may have more severe symptoms. | |
| Race/Ethnicity | Higher AF incidence in people of European descent, but Black individuals face a higher risk of complications due to structural and socioeconomic factors. | |
| Genetic Predisposition | Several genetic loci (e.g., on chromosome 4q25) have been linked to AF, affecting ion channels and atrial... |
Try our Free Plan to get the full article.
