Athletes Have an Increased Risk of Developing Atrial Fibrillation

Takeaway

• A meta-analysis found a significantly greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) in athletes compared with non-athletes.
• Younger athletes were at an increased risk of AF compared with older athletes.

Why this matters

• Future studies are warranted on the prevalence of AF in athletes based on specific exercise dose parameters, including training and competition history.

Study design

• UK researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 13 observational studies (7 cohort; 6 case-control) including 70,478 participants (6816 athletes; 63,662 non-athletes).
• Funding: None.

Key results

• Athletes vs non-athletes had a greater risk of developing AF (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.73-3.51; P<.001; I², 84%).
• A significant association was seen between the mode of exercise and risk of AF, with mixed vs endurance sport conferring a greater risk (P=.0204).
• Younger athletes (age, <55 years) vs older athletes (age, ≥55 years) were significantly more likely to develop AF (P<.001).

Limitations

• Heterogeneity among studies.
• Risk of residual confounding.

This clinical summary originally appeared on Univadis, part of the Medscape Professional Network.