New research published in JAMA Cardiology has shown that women have a 50% higher chance of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular heart rhythm, than men when height and weight are accounted for.
Previous studies have shown that women have a lower incidence of AF than men, but those studies did not take sex differences in AF risk factors into account. This study included over 25,000 people who were enrolled in the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) Rhythm Study. Characteristics measured at the beginning of the study included sex, height, weight, body mass index, body surface area, and other AF risk factors. After enrolling and completing these measurements, participants were followed for a median of over five years and monitored for AF. While men were at a higher risk of developing incident AF overall, women were at a greater risk than men when height and weight were taken into account. For example, if a man and woman had the same height, the woman was more likely to develop AF than the man.
This research underscores the importance of AF screening and prevention in women, which has been overlooked in the past. AF is the most common form of abnormal heart rhythm in the US, and untreated AF can lead to a greater risk of heart disease and stroke. Symptoms of AF may include a fluttering or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, and more. The most effective prevention strategies of AF tend to be lifestyle modifications, including reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure, avoiding alcohol, and getting regular exercise.
Source: JAMA Cardiology, Science Daily
