Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Women

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Abstract
Previous studies have revealed various effects of alcohol consumption on the risk of cardiovascular disease, depending on the cardiovascular event under study and on the amount of alcohol consumed. Consuming moderate amounts of alcohol has been consistently associated with reduced risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure.1-5 On the other hand, acutely ingesting excessive amounts of alcohol (“binge drinking”) has been associated with increased risks of myocardial infarction,6 stroke,7 and atrial fibrillation.8-10 Among individuals consuming excessive amounts of alcohol on a more regular basis, an increased risk of developing alcoholic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure has also been described.11,12