Pulse Pressure and Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common chronic arrhythmia in adults and is associated with increased risk for mortality and stroke.^1-3 An estimated 2.3 million adults in the United States have AF currently, and that number is expected to increase substantially as the population ages.^4,5 The prevalence of AF increases markedly with age,⁴ with a substantial overall lifetime risk of approximately 1 in 4 for both men and women.⁶ Investigators have identified several key clinical risk factors for AF including advancing age, increased systolic blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, valvular disease, myocardial infarction, and obesity.^7-9 Echocardiographic risk factors for nonrheumatic AF include left atrial enlargement, increased left ventricular wall thickness, and impaired left ventricular systolic function.^8,10