A systematic evaluation of the available evidence suggests similarities as well as important differences in the risk factors for incidence of AF as compared with other cardiovascular diseases , which has implication s for the primary prevention strategies for atrial fibrillation
Established primary prevention strategies of cardiovascular diseases are based on underst and ing of risk factors , but whether the same risk factors are associated with  atrial fibrillation ( AF )  remains unclear .
Socioeconomic Status and the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Whites and Blacks: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Background No previous studies have examined the interplay among socioeconomic status , sex , and race with the risk of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) .  Methods and Results We prospect ively followed 14 352 persons ( 25 % black , 75 % white , 55 % women , mean age 54 years ) who were free of AF and participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities ( ARIC ) study .  Socioeconomic status was assessed at baseline ( 1987–1989 ) through educational level and total family income . Incident AF through 2009 was ascertained from electrocardiograms , hospitalizations , and death certificates . Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios and 95 % CIs of AF for education and family income . Interactions were tested between socioeconomic status and age , race , or sex . Over a median follow‐up of 20.6 years , 1794 AF cases occurred . Lower family income was associated with higher AF risk ( hazard ratio 1.45 , 95 % CI 1.27 to 1.67 in those with income less than $ 25 000 per year compared with those with $ 50 000 or more per year ) . The association between education and AF risk varied by sex ( P=0.01 ) , with the lowest education group associated with higher AF risk in women ( hazard ratio 1.88 , 95 % CI 1.55 to 2.28 ) but not in men ( hazard ratio 1.15 , 95 % CI 0.97 to 1.36 ) compared with the highest education group . Adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors attenuated the associations . There were no interactions with race or age . Blacks had lower AF risk  than whites in all income and education groups . Conclusions Lower family income was associated with a higher AF risk overall , whereas the impact of education on AF risk was present only in women . Differences in socioeconomic status do not explain the lower risk of AF in blacks compared with whites
A systematic evaluation of the available evidence suggests similarities as well as important differences in the risk factors for incidence of AF as compared with other cardiovascular diseases , which has implication s for the primary prevention strategies for atrial fibrillation
Established primary prevention strategies of cardiovascular diseases are based on underst and ing of risk factors , but whether the same risk factors are associated with  atrial fibrillation ( AF )  remains unclear .