Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation A Sobering Review

Alcohol is an important risk factor for Atrial Fibrillation through direct effects on the atrial substrate, and by contributing to hypertension, obesity, and systolic blood pressure. Habitual drinking at moderate levels, as well as binge drinking, predisposes to Atrial Fibrillation, with an increase in Atrial Fibrillation recurrence in those who continue to drink. Although a small amount of alcohol is considered cardioprotective, these benefits do not extend to Atrial Fibrillation.