Key result
Former elite rowers linked to an almost ~7-fold higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation vs controls.
Why the study?
Does elite endurance sport (former world-class rowing) increase the risk of atrial fibrillation compared to matched controls?
Population
Elite endurance athletes (former world-class rowers) and controls
Comparison
Elite endurance athletes vs controls
Authors
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May warrant AF monitoring in elite endurance athletes; leaves open causal mechanisms and generalizability.
Observational (n=11,616)
Does elite endurance sport (former world-class rowing) increase the risk of atrial fibrillation compared to matched controls?
Relative Risk: 6.8 (95% CI 4.7–9.8)
Absolute Event Rate: 21.5% vs 3.2%
Elite endurance athletes have a markedly higher prevalence and incidence of atrial fibrillation and stroke compared to matched controls, driven by both exercise-induced cardiac remodeling and genetic susceptibility.
Flannery et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=11,616). Elite endurance rowing vs. Matched control group from UK Biobank was evaluated on Prevalence of atrial fibrillation (RR 6.8, 95% CI 4.7-9.8). Former elite endurance rowers had a markedly higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation compared to matched controls (21.5% vs 3.2%; RR 6.8, 95% CI 4.7-9.8).
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