Risk factors for atrial fibrillation include:

• Age older than 60.
• Being white and male.
• Heart failure.
• Heart valve disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Coronary artery disease and heart attack.
• Obesity.⁴
• A family history of atrial fibrillation.⁵
• Surgery on the heart.
• A history of rheumatic fever.
• Infection, such as pneumonia or endocarditis.
• Lung disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Metabolic conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes.
• Use of alcohol. Long-term, heavy alcohol use seems to be linked to atrial fibrillation.²
• Use of stimulants. These include medications, such as theophylline, amphetamines, and decongestants that contain stimulants (such as pseudoephedrine); illegal drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamines, or crank; and excessive nicotine or caffeine.
• Congenital heart disease and surgical repair of congenital heart disease.

Recurring atrial fibrillation

Researchers have recently found a link between obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent atrial fibrillation. A recent study found that people with obstructive sleep apnea were more likely to have atrial fibrillation recur after it had been converted to a normal rhythm.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, many times during a night. This interferes with getting enough oxygen while you sleep. Low oxygen levels may trigger atrial fibrillation.

If you have atrial fibrillation, and especially if you are overweight, ask your doctor if you should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Treating your sleep disorder may reduce the risk that atrial fibrillation will come back.⁶