A systematic evaluation of the available evidence suggests similarities as well as important differences in the risk factors for incidence of AF as compared with other cardiovascular diseases , which has implication s for the primary prevention strategies for atrial fibrillation
Established primary prevention strategies of cardiovascular diseases are based on underst and ing of risk factors , but whether the same risk factors are associated with  atrial fibrillation ( AF )  remains unclear .
Heavy alcohol consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation. The Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS).
BACKGROUND Evidence regarding the relationship between different levels of alcohol consumption and the risk of atrial fibrillation ( AF )  is currently limited in Asian population s. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 1991 and 1995 , a total of 8,602 Japanese men and women aged 30 - 80 years took part in the first examination of the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study ( CIRCS ) , a population -based cohort study in Japanese communities .  An interviewer obtained detailed information on weekly alcohol intake . During the follow-up period , the incidence of AF was ascertained from annual ECG records , the subject 's medical history of AF , and cardiovascular disease surveillance . The hazard ratios ( HRs ) of incident AF and the 95 % confidence intervals ( CIs ) relative to the never-drinking group were calculated with adjustment for potential confounding factors by using the Cox proportional hazard model . During a median follow-up period of 6.4 years , 296 incidents of AF occurred . A higher incidence of AF was observed among participants with an ethanol intake > 69g/day , compared with never-drinkers . Compared with the never-drinkers , the multivariable-adjusted HRs ( CIs ) of past , light ( < 23g/day ) , light-moderate ( 23 - 46g/day ) , moderate ( 46 - 69g/day ) , and heavy ( > 69g/day ) drinkers were 1.30 ( 0.68 - 2.49 ) , 0.89 ( 0.60 - 1.32 ) , 1.19 ( 0.73 - 1.95 ) , 1.36 ( 0.79 - 2.35 ) , and 2.90 ( 1.61 - 5.23 ) , respectively . CONCLUSIONS Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of AF
A systematic evaluation of the available evidence suggests similarities as well as important differences in the risk factors for incidence of AF as compared with other cardiovascular diseases , which has implication s for the primary prevention strategies for atrial fibrillation
Established primary prevention strategies of cardiovascular diseases are based on underst and ing of risk factors , but whether the same risk factors are associated with  atrial fibrillation ( AF )  remains unclear .