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Updated: Oct 18, 2025
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Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
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Epigenetic Age and the Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation
Jason D Roberts1,2, Eric Vittinghoff3, Ake T Lu4
1Population Health Research Institute (J.D.R., P.M-S., G.P.).
Circulation
|September 30, 2021
Summary
Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) is linked to increased atrial fibrillation risk, suggesting biological aging impacts heart health independently of chronological age. These aging processes may be modifiable, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
- Cardiology
Background:
- Chronological age is the primary risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Epigenetic modifications predict chronological age, and deviations (epigenetic age acceleration, EAA) may indicate accelerated biological aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between epigenetic age measures and the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF).
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 3 population-based cohorts, measuring 4 epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum, DNAm PhenoAge, DNAm GrimAge) and DNAm PAI-1.
- Employed Cox models and meta-analyses to assess incident AF risk, with Mendelian randomization analyses for causality.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) measures, particularly DNAm GrimAge and DNAm PhenoAge, were significantly associated with higher hazards of incident AF after adjusting for chronological age and other risk factors.
- A 5-year increase in EAA for DNAm GrimAge and DNAm PhenoAge correlated with 19% and 15% higher AF incidence, respectively.
- Mendelian randomization analyses did not establish a statistically significant causal link.
Conclusions:
- Adjusted associations between EAA and incident AF suggest biological aging plays a role independent of chronological age.
- The identified aging processes may be modifiable, presenting potential avenues for AF prevention or intervention.
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