Alcohol linked with irregular heartbeat in women
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Consuming two or more alcoholic beverages per day may slightly increase the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat , also referred to as atrial fibrillation, in women, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Prior research established a similar association in men, but the question remained open in women because earlier studies were underpowered to assess the risk, lead author Dr. David Conen, from University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, and colleagues note.
Atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia, occurs when rapid, disorganized electrical signals in the heart cause very fast and irregular contractions (fibrillations), resulting in inefficient pumping of blood through the heart. Although atrial fibrillation may not cause symptoms, the condition still increases the risk of stroke. Atrial fibrillation may also lead to chest pain, heart attack or heart failure.
The current investigation included 34,715 women who were followed from 1993 to October 31, 2006 as part of the Women’s Health Study. The subjects were all over 45 years of age and free from atrial fibrillation when the study began.
During an average follow-up period of 12.4 years, 653 women developed atrial fibrillation, the report indicates.
After further analysis, the researchers found that women who consumed two or more alcoholic drinks per day were 60 percent more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than women who consumed no alcoholic beverages. Although the finding is statistically significant, this only represents small increased risk.
The consumption of smaller amounts of alcohol did not significantly impact the risk of atrial fibrillation. This finding supports a “possible threshold effect in the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation among women,” the researchers conclude.
SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association for December 3, 2008.
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