Causes and Risk Factors (original) (raw)
Age, family history and genetics, lifestyle, heart disease or other medical conditions, race, and surgical history can all raise your risk of developing the structural and electrical issues that lead to atrial fibrillation. Even in a healthy heart, a fast or slow heart rate — from exercising or sleeping, for example — can trigger atrial fibrillation. Sometimes, though, atrial fibrillation happens for no obvious reason.
Age
The risk of atrial fibrillation increases as you get older, especially when you are over age 65. Atrial fibrillation is rare in children.
Family history and genetics
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 cells in the heart that regulate heart rhythm.
Sometimes these genetic patterns are also linked to heart disease. Some genetic factors may raise the risk of atrial fibrillation in combination with factors such as age, weight, or sex.
Lifestyle factors
Some lifestyle choices can raise or lower your risk of atrial fibrillation.
- Alcohol consumption in large amounts, especially binge drinking, raises your risk of atrial fibrillation. Even modest amounts of alcohol can trigger atrial fibrillation in some people.
- Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and other street drugs, can trigger atrial fibrillation or make it worse.
- Physical activity, for example, participating in endurance sports or physically working hard, may lead to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation for some people, especially competitive athletes and men. At the same time, moderate physical activity can have a protective effect that can lower your risk of atrial fibrillation, as well as other heart diseases.
- Smoking increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, according to many studies. 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.
- Stressful situations, panic disorders, and other types of emotional stress may be linked to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
Fact sheet
Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart
Other medical conditions
Many other medical conditions, including heart, lung, and sleep disorders, can raise your risk of atrial fibrillation. Common conditions that increase your risk include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD and other lung problems
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Heart valve diseases
- High blood pressure
- Hyperthyroidism
- Overweight and obesity
- Sick sinus syndrome, a conduction disorder
- Sleep apnea and other sleep problems
- Viral infections
Many medicines, including over-the-counter ones and stimulants, may also increase your risk, especially if you have other risk factors for atrial fibrillation.
Race
In the United States, atrial fibrillation is more common among white people than among Black or African American, Hispanic, or Asian people. Although people of European ancestry are more likely to develop the condition, Black or African American people with atrial fibrillation are more likely to have serious complications such as stroke, heart failure, or heart disease where blood flow (and oxygen flow) is reduced.
Surgery
You may be at risk of atrial fibrillation in the early days and weeks after surgery on your heart, lungs, or esophagus. For example, heart surgery to correct a congenital heart defect can raise the risk of atrial fibrillation. This risk remains even years after a childhood surgery. It is also a risk if someone has surgery as an adult to correct a lifelong condition.