Genetics of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of abnormal heartbeat. It means the heart beats faster than normal and not in a regular rhythm. People who have AF may not feel symptoms. Other people may have chest pain or heart failure. AF can also increase the risk for blood clots or stroke. Early treatment is key. This keeps your heartbeat under control and reduces other problems. Some risk factors for AF include being overweight, older, and having high blood pressure. Genes can also play a role in AF. Researchers in this study will test if adding genetic information to the other risk factors better predicts who is at risk for AF. This could help us catch it earlier or do a better job of slowing down the disease.