Atrial Fibrillation and Metabolic Syndrome: Understanding the Connection

Metabolic syndrome, a constellation of conditions including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and insulin resistance, has increased to epidemic proportions. Metabolic syndrome has been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and is likely related to the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases. Perhaps not coincidentally, its growth in incidence has paralleled that of atrial fibrillation. Various components of metabolic syndrome have been known to have a role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. With the conglomeration of components seen in the metabolic syndrome, the risk for atrial fibrillation increases greatly. Several studies have elucidated the role of metabolic syndrome in the development of atrial fibrillation. Its role on the atrial substrate makes it an important determinant of progression of disease and failure of therapeutic strategies such as catheter ablation. Control of the various components of metabolic syndrome may ultimately lead to better outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients.