Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation
Open accessAbstract
Background Although high alcohol consumption has been associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), the role of light to moderate drinking remains unclear.Objectives The study sought to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and AF risk in a prospective study of Swedish men and women and to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective studies to summarize available evidence.Methods We followed 79,019 men and women who, at baseline, were free from AF and had completed a questionnaire about alcohol consumption and other risk factors for chronic diseases. Incident AF cases were ascertained by linkage to the Swedish Inpatient Register. For the meta-analysis, studies were identified by searching PubMed through January 10, 2014, and by reviewing references of pertinent publications. Study-specific relative risks (RRs) were combined using a random effects model.Results Over 859,420 person-years of follow-up (1998 to 2009), 7,245 incident AF cases were identified in our own cohort study. The association between alcohol consumption and AF did not differ by sex (p for interaction = 0.74). Compared with current drinkers of <1 drink/week (12 g alcohol/drink), the multivariable RRs of AF were 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94 to 1.09) for 1 to 6 drinks/week, 1.07 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.17) for 7 to 14 drinks/week, 1.14 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.28) for 15 to 21 drinks/week, and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.22 to 1.58) for >21 drinks/week. Results were similar after excluding binge drinkers. In a meta-analysis of 7 prospective studies, including 12,554 AF cases, the RRs were 1.08 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.10) for 1 drink/day, 1.17 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.21) for 2 drinks/day, 1.26 (95% CI: 1.19 to 1.33) for 3 drinks/day, 1.36 (95% CI: 1.27 to 1.46) for 4 drinks/day, and 1.47 (95% CI: 1.34 to 1.61) for 5 drinks/day, compared with nondrinkers.Conclusions These findings indicate that alcohol consumption, even at moderate intakes, is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation.
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Alcohol consumption is independently associated with AF, with 15-21 drinks/week RR 1.14 and >21 drinks/week RR 1.39 compared with none.
“Alcohol consumption 213 None 1-6 drinks/week 7-14 drinks/week 15-21 drinks/week > 21 drinks/week RR: 1.00 (reference) 1.01 (95% CI 0.94-1.09)1.07 (95% CI 0.98-1.17)1.14 (95% CI 1.01-1.28)1.39 (95% CI 1.22-1.58)”
From 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS (2016) · cites this paper as [213]
In men, a U-shaped association has been reported between physical activity and AF, in which sedentary lifestyle and vigorous exercise both are associated with increased AF risk, whereas moderate activity is protective.
“In men, a U-shaped association has been reported, in which sedentary lifestyle and vigorous exercise both are associated with increased AF risk,41,44,45 whereas moderate activity is protective.46”
From Atrial fibrillation in women: epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, and prognosis (2016) · cites this paper as [41]
Habitual alcohol and acute binges associate with higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
“Habitual alcohol and acute binges associate with higher risk of atrial fibrillation.286”
From Dietary and Policy Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review (2016) · cites this paper as [286]
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- Authors
- Larsson, S. C., Drca, N., & Wolk, A.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Larsson, Susanna C.
- Venue
- Journal of the American College of Cardiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-07
- Volume
- 64
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 281-289
- ISSN
- 0735-1097 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1805190232
- Cited by
- 436
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 24.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of the American College of Cardiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American College of Cardiology Foundation
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors
- Keywords
- alcohol consumption, atrial fibrillation, light to moderate drinking, binge drinking, atrial fibrillation risk
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alcohol Drinking, Alcoholic Beverages, Atrial Fibrillation, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Sweden, Cohort Studies
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