Ruqiat Masooma Batool

AAMR age-adjusted mortality rate AAPC average annual percentage change AF atrial fibrillation APC annual percent change BMI body mass index CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CI confidence interval DOACs direct oral anticoagulants EAT epicardial adipose tissue ECG electrocardiogram ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision IRB Institutional Review Board MRI magnetic resonance imaging NCHS National Center for Health Statistics RCT randomized controlled trial...

1 Introduction Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the leading cause of mortality globally, accounting for approximately one-third of all global deaths [1]. Despite a significant decline in CVD mortality rates since the 1960s, recent data highlight a concerning trend in mortality rates over the last few years [2, 3].