A small amount of alcohol per day through an alcoholic beverage is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. This was the result of a study of almost 108,000 people. The results show that people who regularly indulge in a drink are also at risk of such a condition. This is a disease in which...Heart in an abnormal rhythmbeats.
The effects of small amounts of alcohol per day
The researchers categorized an alcoholic drink as containing 12g of ethanol. This is equivalent to a small (120ml) glass of wine, a small beer (330ml) or 40ml of spirits. The current study was led by Professor Renate Schnabel, consultant cardiologist at the Heart and Vascular Center at the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf. So her team found that even low doses of alcohol compared toNon-drinkers at risk for heart failurewere connected. During the median follow-up of nearly 14 years, 5854 people developed atrial fibrillation. The associations between alcohol consumption and the risk of atrial fibrillation were similar across all types of alcoholic beverages and in men and women. Up to two drinks per day was associated with a 28% increased risk. This rose to 47% for those who consumed more than four drinks.
The precise mechanisms by which a lowAmount of alcohol per day can trigger atrial fibrillationcould, are not yet known. Similar studies have shown that heavy drinking over a short period of time can trigger “holiday heart syndrome” in some people. In some patients with atrial fibrillation, even small amounts of alcohol can lead to arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Some episodes of atrial fibrillation may be asymptomatic and therefore may not have been reported. The analyzes only included adults across Europe, so the results may not be generalizable to other populations.
Since it is atthis studywas an observational study, only a connection between alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation can be determined. The net clinical benefit of consuming small amounts of alcohol requires further research, ideally in sufficiently powered randomized trials. Until then, each individual must make their own informed decision as to whether consuming up to one alcoholic drink per day is sensible and safe.
