Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation: Geographic/Ecological Risk Factors, Age, Sex, Genetics

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia globally. The global prevalence of atrial fibrillation is positively correlated with the sociodemographic index of different regions. Advancing age, male sex, and Caucasian race are risk factors; female sex is correlated with higher atrial fibrillation mortality worldwide likely owing to thromboembolic risk. African American ethnicity is associated with lower atrial fibrillation risk, same as Asian and Hispanic/Latino ethnicities compared with Caucasians. Atrial fibrillation may be heritable, and more than 100 genetic loci have been identified. A polygenic risk score and clinical risk factors are feasible and effective in risk stratification of incident disease.