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Cardiac Oscillatory Fibrillation Syndrome (COFS) [kɑfs] is an environmentally induced heart fibrillation that affects people that are genetically predisposed to the disease. It is estimated that roughly 1% of the United States population suffers from this disease that those living near a coal power plant are far more likely to undergo ventricular fibrillation. There is currently no known cure for COFS but several large companies are in the process of testing various devices that would be able to detect and alleviate the syndrome.

First Discovery
The first discovery of Cardiac Oscillatory Fibrillation Syndrome was noted in communities that had a coal power plant in a 25 mile vicinity. There was a statistically higher occurrence of fibrillation in people with Allergic rhinitis. Several of these outbreaks caused the United States Department of Health and Human Services to launch and publish a detailed set of their findings. It was later shown that the highest number of these cases was in Texas, which has the largest number of Coal Power Plants in the nation and consequently the airborne pollutants were triggering the disease.

Genetic Link
Dr. Baldwin led a research initiative in April of 2012 to see if there was a potential genetic link between individuals susceptible to Cardiac Oscillatory Fibrillation Syndrome. The findings showed a distinct link between green eyes as the only people that have the potential to contract this disease. The heavy implication is that 'COFS' is caused by this variant of the OCA2 gene; there exists no other published research at this time.

Irregular Heartbeat
One warning sign of Cardiac Oscillatory Fibrillation Syndrome is a semi-frequent occurrence of Heart Palpitations. Having these palpitations does not necessarily indicate the presence of COFS but is merely one warning sign that it could be present in the individual. Generally the frequency of occurrence can range from a few times a year to weekly. Someone suffering from frequent heart palpitations should seek medical attention immediately.

Allergic Rhinitis
Individuals suffering from Cardiac Oscillatory Fibrillation Syndrome have also been noted to have high instances of Allergic rhinitis, also known as Hay Fever. This reaction is considered harmless but can be irritating to the person experiencing it. Having COFS does not cause allergic rhinitis, but rather having allergic rhinitis can trigger an attack of COFS.

Green Eyes
Currently it appears that individuals with a mutation to their OCA2 gene is the cause of COFS. It remains unclear why the mutation would cause heart conditions but it is expressed as the physical trait of having green coloration of the retinas. You cannot contract green eyes from COFS, rather being born with green eyes can indicate the presence of the disease. All diagnosed victims had green eyes and it was shown through DNA sequences that the OCA2 gene was modified. This is a condition from birth, and is highly unlikely that the mutation would occur later in the life of an individual.