Association of the Metabolic Syndrome with Atrial Fibrillation Among US Adults (From the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke [REGARDS] Study)

Both metaxbolic syndrome (MS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated with increased cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. This analysis evaluates the association between MS and AF in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. MS was defined using criteria recommended in the joint interim statement from several international societies. AF was defined in two ways - by electrocardiogram (ECG) and/or self-report and by ECG alone. Among individuals with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 MS components, the prevalence of AF by ECG and/or self-report was 5.5%, 7.7%, 8.2%, 9.2%, 9.6% and 11.5%, respectively (p-trend