NPPB and atrial fibrillation: The stroke associations that we noted could partly be explained by associations previously reported between NT-proBNP concentration and stroke risk factors (eg, left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial fibrillation),15, 52 but further work is needed to elucidate the common pathobiology for coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure reflected by preceding NT-proBNP concentration.