Like to drink and relax during the weekend? Harvard doctor: Risk of atrial fibrillation may increase in upper body
Drinking and partying during holidays may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation?
Do you like to have dinner or drink on weekends and holidays? Be careful as it increases the risk of atrial fibrillation! Deepak Bhatt, a professor at Harvard Medical School and director of the Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said that atrial fibrillation refers to a rapid and irregular heart rhythm abnormality, and heavy drinking in a short period of time may increase the acute onset of atrial fibrillation. Opportunity. In the United States, this phenomenon is called “holiday heart disease” because people are more likely to drink heavily and binge drink around the holidays, which can easily lead to more acute cases.
In fact, atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, which may cause patients to feel dizzy, fatigue, palpitations, chest tightness and difficulty breathing, and even lead to heart enlargement and heart failure. In addition, when atrial fibrillation occurs, blood cannot be transported normally and accumulates in the atrium, which may form blood clots, cause thrombosis, and cause complications such as stroke.
Professor Deepak Bhatt pointed out that the more alcohol consumed on weekdays, the higher the likelihood of being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. A study published by the University Hospital of Hamburg in Germany in 2021 pointed out that small amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of heart disease, even if you only drink a small glass of wine (120cc of wine, 330cc of beer, 40cc of whiskey or other alcoholic beverages) every day, which is different from a full drink. People who don’t drink alcohol also have a 16% increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Drinking two drinks a day increases the risk by 28%, and those who consume four drinks a day have a maximum risk of 47%.
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Not only that, another recent study also pointed out that among people who have already developed atrial fibrillation, alcohol is more likely to cause instantaneous changes in heart rate. In these subjects wearing heart rate monitors, it was found that four hours after drinking a glass of alcohol, , the risk of atrial fibrillation is doubled. Another study noted that patients with atrial fibrillation who drank moderate amounts of alcohol showed more traces of fibrosis and electrical conduction in 3D scans of the left atrium. These two indicators are directly related to the severity of atrial fibrillation.
Professor Deepak Bhatt believes that very small amounts of alcohol may still cause heart damage to some groups. Limiting the amount of alcohol consumed during festivals and events will help protect heart health. In addition, drinking habits are also related to other high-risk factors, such as high blood pressure and various cancers. The higher the daily alcohol intake, the risk of these diseases will also increase simultaneously.
Professor Deepak Bhatt reminded that the occurrence of atrial fibrillation is related to family inheritance, and individuals should pay attention to relevant family medical history. As for how ordinary people can take good heart care and reduce the chance of atrial fibrillation? Doctors suggest that maintaining a healthy weight and good exercise habits are the best ways.
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Alcohol and atrial fibrillation
One small alcoholic drink a day is linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation
