Compared to the healthy controls, the COPD individuals were slightly older, had significantly lower BMIs, had a significantly higher prevalence of the most relevant cardiovascular risk factors, a CAD history and concomitant AF, significantly higher resting heart rate and blood pressure values and, finally, significantly higher serum levels of creatinine, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol and NT-proBNP (all p values < 0.05). The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is atrial fibrillation.