Atrial Fibrillation Causes and Risk Factors

Cardiac Causes

Hypertensive heart disease is one of the most prevalent underlying conditions associated with atrial fibrillation development, particularly when left ventricular hypertrophy is present, according to the American Heart Association 3, 4
Coronary artery disease represents a significant risk factor, with atrial fibrillation being more common in older patients, males, and those with left ventricular dysfunction, as stated by the American College of Cardiology 3
Heart failure creates an arrhythmogenic substrate through structural and electrical remodeling of the atria, as noted by the European Society of Cardiology 3, 5
Valvular heart disease, especially involving the mitral valve, significantly increases atrial fibrillation risk regardless of severity but correlates with left atrial enlargement, according to the American Heart Association 3
Cardiomyopathies, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy, are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, as reported by the European Heart Journal 3, 4

Hyperthyroidism is a significant non-cardiac cause of atrial fibrillation that should always be evaluated, as recommended by the American Thyroid Association 1, 3
Pulmonary embolism is a potential cause of atrial fibrillation, as noted by the European Respiratory Journal 6
Alcohol consumption, including acute alcohol intoxication and chronic excessive alcohol use, can trigger atrial fibrillation, according to the American Heart Association 1, 3, 6, 8
Medications, including cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular drugs, can induce atrial fibrillation, as reported by the Pharmacological Research journal 6, 9

Advanced age is one of the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation development, with a prevalence of approximately 1% in those under 60 years and increasing to more than 8% in those over 80 years, as stated by the American Geriatrics Society 1
Age-related cardiac changes, including increased myocardial stiffness, fibrosis, and atrial dilation, can contribute to atrial fibrillation, according to the European Heart Journal 3, 4

Autonomic influences, including vagally-mediated and adrenergically-induced atrial fibrillation, can play an important role in atrial fibrillation initiation, as noted by the European Heart Journal 4
Genetic predisposition, including familial atrial fibrillation, can increase the likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation, as reported by the American Heart Association 3, 4
Sleep deprivation, emotional stress, physical exertion, and caffeine consumption can trigger atrial fibrillation episodes, according to the American Heart Association 3, 8