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Approved research

Associations of cardiometabolic, genetic, and lifestyle factors with the risk of arrhythmias

Principal Investigator: Mr Samuel Tu
Approved Research ID: 62306
Approval date: June 17th 2020

Lay summary

Factors such as obesity, diet, and smoking play a significant role in the burden of cardiovascular disease globally. Identifying and managing factors that are modifiable is thus essential in the prevention and management of various cardiovascular diseases. While lifestyle-directed primary and secondary prevention strategies are well studied in heart attacks and heart failure, this is an emerging area in the field of heart rhythm disorders that requires further research. We will use data obtained from the UK Biobank to identify associations between factors, particularly modifiable factors such as blood pressure, diet, physical activity, and weight, and the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beats), bradyarrhythmias (slow heart beats) and sudden cardiac death. We will also investigate how the impact of these lifestyle factors may change with each individual's unique genetic makeup. Our work will build on the existing body of evidence and support current national and international guidelines for primary and secondary lifestyle interventions in the management of atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias. Knowledge gained about how genetics and lifestyle factors interact with each other may serve to provide a precision medicine approach to the management of arrhythmias in the future.