A recent study from Boston has revealed that unhealthy lifestyle choices can almost double the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide.
The findings, published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, highlight the importance of maintaining good cardiovascular health to reduce AF risk.
AF occurs when the heart beats irregularly and often rapidly, increasing the risk of stroke and other complications.
While established risk factors include age, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and valve problems, recent research has uncovered several modifiable contributors such as obesity, excess alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, and sleep disorders.
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The study focused on the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score — a comprehensive measure of cardiovascular health that evaluates eight lifestyle and health factors: diet, smoking, sleep duration, body mass index (BMI), blood sugar levels, physical activity, cholesterol, and blood pressure. LE8 is an update to the earlier Life’s Simple 7 and includes sleep as a key element.
Researchers analysed data from over 3,100 participants aged 45 and above from the Framingham Heart Study’s Omni 1 and Offspring cohorts.
Participants underwent health exams to determine their LE8 scores, which ranged from poor to ideal based on adherence to healthy habits. They were then followed for up to 10 years to monitor the onset of AF.
During the study period, 410 individuals developed AF. The risk of AF was significantly higher among those with poor LE8 scores compared to participants with ideal scores.
Specifically, the incidence of AF was 17.2 cases per 1,000 person-years in the poor score group, nearly double the 7.9 cases per 1,000 person-years seen in those with ideal scores.
Participants with intermediate scores showed no significant difference in AF risk compared to those with ideal health.
Poor control of BMI, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels were particularly linked to greater AF risk.
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The study also found that an unhealthy lifestyle increased the risk of death from all causes, with better scores for physical activity, glucose control, and smoking status linked to lower mortality.
Importantly, the relationship between LE8 scores and AF risk was consistent across age groups, indicating that adopting healthy habits benefits people of all ages.
While the study’s predominantly middle-aged and older white population may limit its generalisability, it underscores the value of lifestyle management in preventing AF and improving overall survival.
The authors suggest future research should explore specific interventions that can enhance cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation globally.
