ONE GLASS OF WINE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN THE CONSUMER

Edited by, SNEHA MAVIS

According to new research from UC San Francisco, a single glass of wine can significantly increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in the consumer. The study is the first to show that drinking alcohol significantly raises the risk of developing a cardiac rhythm disorder within a few hours. According to the authors, the findings may go against popular belief that alcohol is "cardioprotective", implying  that decreasing or avoiding alcohol could help reduce harmful effects. 

The study involved 100 patients with documented AF who drank at least one alcoholic drink a month. patients were chosen from UCSF's general cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology outpatient clinics. People having a history of alcohol or substance use disorder, as well as those with certain allergies or who were changing treatment for a heart condition, were barred from participating.

For about four weeks, each wore an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor and pressed a button whenever they drank a standard-size alcoholic drink. They were also all fitted with a continuous alcohol sensor. Blood tests were conducted on a regular basis to assess alcohol use during the previous weeks. Throughout the trial, participants drank an average of one drink each day. 

Researches found that having one alcoholic drink was linked to a two-fold increases in the risk of having an AF episode, while having two or more drinks in the prior four hours was linked to a three-fold increases in the risk of having an AF episode. Increased blood alcohol levels were also linked to AF occurrences.