Alcohol consumption, including binge drinking and modest regular intake, may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation through direct toxicity, obesity, sleep apnea, and hypertension.
Alcohol is popular in Western culture, supported by a perception that modest intake is cardioprotective. However, excessive drinking has detrimental implications for cardiovascular disease. Atrial fibrillation (AF) following an alcohol binge or the "holiday heart syndrome" is well characterized. However, more modest levels of alcohol intake on a regular basis may also increase the risk of AF. The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the relationship between alcohol and AF may include direct toxicity and alcohol's contribution to obesity, sleep-disordered breathing, and hypertension. We aim to provide a comprehensive review of the epidemiology and pathophysiology by which alcohol may be responsible for AF and determine whether alcohol abstinence is required for patients with AF.
“Broadly speaking, we know that alcohol at that one to two standard drinks per day level in men and one standard drink in women has proven benefits in reducing the incidence of heart attacks, reducing the incidence of cardiovascular mortality, and even reducing total mortality and stroke. But it's a J-shaped curve, so as we go beyond four to five standard drinks per day then [alcohol] becomes dangerous. And I do think we, as physicians, kind of struggle with implementing that moderation message.”
Voskoboinik et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation. Alcohol consumption was evaluated. Alcohol consumption, including binge drinking and modest regular intake, may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation through direct toxicity, obesity, sleep apnea, and hypertension.
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