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Updated: Dec 27, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Risk factor modification for the primary and secondary prevention of atrial fibrillation. Part 1
Nebojša Mujović1, Milan Marinković2, Miroslav Mihajlović3
1Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Insights
Modifiable risk factors like hypertension and diabetes contribute to atrial fibrillation (AF). Managing these factors can prevent new-onset AF and improve treatment outcomes for existing conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology and Electrophysiology
- Preventive Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Modifiable cardiometabolic and lifestyle risk factors significantly influence atrial remodeling, leading to atrial fibrillation (AF).
- Early intervention targeting these risk factors is crucial for preventing AF progression and new-onset cases.
- Aggressive risk factor management can enhance the effectiveness of other AF rhythm control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between atrial fibrillation and key risk factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, physical activity, and smoking.
- To systematically discuss the impact of modifying these risk factors on both primary and secondary AF prevention.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature
- Evaluation of associations between risk factors and AF
- Discussion of risk factor modification strategies
Main Results:
- Cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors are strongly linked to atrial remodeling and AF development.
- Risk factor modification shows potential in delaying AF progression and preventing new-onset AF.
- Management of risk factors may improve the success rates of antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation.
Conclusions:
- Modification of risk factors is essential for the primary and secondary prevention of atrial fibrillation.
- Addressing hypertension, diabetes, physical activity, and smoking can mitigate AF risk and improve cardiovascular health.
- Comprehensive risk factor management is a cornerstone of holistic AF care and overall cardiovascular disease reduction.
Abstract:
Modifiable risk factors, such as cardiometabolic and lifestyle risk factors, considerably contribute to (bi)atrial remodeling, finally resulting in clinical occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Early identification and prompt intervention on these risk factors may delay further progression of atrial arrhythmia substrate and prevent the occurrence of new‑onset AF. Moreover, in patients with previous history of recurrent AF, aggressive risk factor management may improve efficacy of other rhythm control strategies, including antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation in sinus rhythm maintenance. Finally, modification of risk factors improves overall health and reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The first part of this review evaluates the association between AF and the following risk factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, physical activity, and cigarette smoking. We systematically discuss the impact of risk factor modification on primary and secondary prevention of AF.
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