Compared to patients without AF, those with AF were older, more often male and white (and less often Asian), more likely to have hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and had a higher CHA2DS2‐VASc score, body mass index, heart rate, and baseline NT‐proBNP, and lower eGFR. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.