Lifestyle as a Risk Factor for Atrial Fibrillation.

The growing burden of atrial fibrillation health care resource utlization has created an urgent need to develop preventative strategies and opportunities to improve outcomes in the prevalent population. Modifiable risk factors contribute to both disease development and progression. In the prevalent atrial fibrillation population, modifying cardiovascular risk factors has decreased disease burden and progression. However, further research is required to determine the role of comprehensive cardiovascular risk factor modification programs in primary prevention. An understanding of strategies required to facilitate health behavior change is crucial to the effective implementation of cardiovascular risk factor management programs.