After adjustment for prognostic variables (excluding NT-proBNP), these associations were generally attenuated; AF at baseline was associated with a significantly higher rate of cardiovascular [hazard ratio (HR) 1.28 (1.01–1.62)] and sudden cardiovascular death [HR 1.55 (1.00–2.42)], but not all-cause death, although there was a trend towards a higher rate of all-cause death with AF [HR 1.21 (0.99–1.47)]. Here, NPPB is linked to atrial fibrillation.