 The study has two aims. First, to determine the cumulative incidence of fatal and non-fatal heart failure HF, myocardial infarction MI and stroke ischaemic, haemorrhagic, and NOS in patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation AF. Differences between clinically relevant groups e.g. men and women will be explored. Second, to compare the direction and magnitude of associations between prognostic factors and the development of these conditions HF, stroke, MI in patients with AF. The following panels of prognostic factors will be investigated: sociodemographic; anthropomorphic and haemodynamic; behavioural; co-existing conditions cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular; blood biomarkers; secondary preventive drugs. 