Body size and risk of atrial fibrillation: a cohort study of 1.1 million young men

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Epidemiology
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Tall stature is linked to lower vascular disease risk but potentially higher atrial fibrillation risk.
• Limited understanding exists regarding other anthropometric measures and their combined impact on atrial fibrillation.
• Investigating anthropometric factors is crucial for understanding atrial fibrillation etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine associations between height, weight, body surface area (BSA), and body mass index (BMI) with atrial fibrillation risk.
• To explore potential joint effects of these anthropometric measures on atrial fibrillation incidence.
• To contribute to a comprehensive understanding of body size and atrial fibrillation development.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Cox regression analysis on a large Swedish male conscription cohort (n=1,153,151).
• Investigated associations between quintiles of height, weight, BSA, and BMI and atrial fibrillation risk.
• Followed participants for a median of 26.3 years.

Main Results:

• Increased height and BSA were strongly associated with higher atrial fibrillation risk (HRs 2.80 and 3.05, respectively, for highest vs. lowest quintile).
• Higher weight and BMI showed a moderate association with atrial fibrillation risk (BMI HR 1.42).
• A multiplicative joint effect between height and weight was observed; associations were attenuated after adjusting for muscle strength, exercise capacity, and related diseases.

Conclusions:

• Height and weight are independently and multiplicatively associated with increased atrial fibrillation risk.
• Body surface area effectively summarizes the combined impact of height and weight on atrial fibrillation risk.
• Potential mechanisms may involve increased atrial volume load due to larger body size, but require further investigation.