What are the risk factors for Atrial Fibrillation?

There are a lot of risk factors for AF like, rheumatic heart disease, continental heart defects,
Coronary heart disease (CHD). There are many more some I will try and explain.

- High blood pressure: longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure also known as (hypertension) can increase your risk for AFib.

- Lung disease: the risk of AF increases if a person has lung disease, such as (COPD) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or emphysema.

- Family history: a family history of atria fibrillation is a strong risk factor.

- Psycological stress, Fatigue and Illness: periods of extreme stress or fatigue can cause atrial fibrillation. Also having a viral infection can cause AF.

- Drinking: drinking large amounts of alcohol raises the risk of AFib. It can also happen to people who are modest drinkers.

- Hyperthyroidism: an overactive thyroid gland can cause atrial fibrillation.

- High dose steroid therapy: research shows that people who receive high dose steroid therapy perhaps for asthma or other inflammatory conditions may at greater risk for AFib.

- Other health conditions: obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome and sleep apnea raise the risk of atrial fibrillation. Perhaps because these conditions can lead to heart disease and other health problems.

Who is at risk for Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation affects 2.7 million Americans, and is the most common type of irregular arrhythmia. AF increases the risk of stroke approximately five times more than the general population. Any person ranging from children to adult, can develop AF. Atrial fibrillation is rare in children, but it can and does happen. Men are more likely to get atrial fibrillation than women, but women are more likely to die prematurely from it. In the US atrial fibrillation is more common among white americans rather than african americans or hispanics. The risk of atrial fibrillation increases as you age, mostly because your risk for heart disease and other conditions that can cause atrial fibrillation also increases as you age. However about half of the people with atrial fibrillation are younger than 75 years old. Though age is a risk factor, many people start getting atrial fibrillation in their early fifties. Also people who undergo heart surgery are at a higher rate in getting atrial fibrillation. Being overweight are also people who are at a higher risk for AF, although that is true it isn't always the case because normal weight and under weight people are prone to get atrial fibrillation too.