Link Between Alcohol Consumption and Atrial Fibrillation in Women

Findings from a large observational study suggest that consuming two or more drinks per day increases women’s risk for AF.

Results of several studies have suggested that alcohol consumption is associated with risk for atrial fibrillation in men; however, data in women are lacking. These investigators used prospectively collected data from the Women’s Health Study to assess the association between regular alcohol consumption and AF in 34,715 women aged 45 or older without AF at baseline. The main outcome of interest was time to first episode of AF.

During a median of more than 12 years of follow-up, 653 incident AF events were identified and confirmed. Age-adjusted incidences of AF were 1.59, 1.55, 1.27, and 2.25 per 1000 person-years of follow-up in women consuming 0, <1, ≥1 but <2, and ≥2 drinks per day, respectively. Whereas consumption of up to two alcoholic …

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

Link Between Alcohol Consumption and Atrial Fibrillation in Women

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Reviewing Author