Healthcare providers need to do more to address lifestyle factors for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.
The statement notes that although great strides have been made in stroke prevention and rhythm control for patients with AF, lifestyle risk factors for AF are increasing. These include obesity, physical inactivity, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cigarette smoking, and excessive alcohol intake.
There is emerging evidence that addressing these modifiable risks may be effective for primary and secondary prevention of AF and that a structured, protocol-driven, multidisciplinary approach to integrating the management of lifestyle and risk factors in AF management may help in the prevention and treatment of AF, according to the statement.
The statement was published online in Circulation on March 9.
