NPPA and cancer: In addition to cancer event, the following additional factors were included in the model: age, sex, IMT thickness, systolic blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, ANP, HDL-cholesterol, serum ALT concentration, serum creatinine, alcohol consumption, smoking (according to pack-years), left atrial diameter, use of beta-blocker, ACE-inhibitor, digitalis or aspirin.