In a new study, patients with atrial fibrillation who were overweight or obese when ablated to correct abnormal cardiac rhythms were more likely to experience recurrence of atrial fibrillation than those who did not. rice field. Photo: bikeriderlondon / Shutterstock
If you are one of the millions of people with a common cardiac rhythmic disorder called atrial fibrillation (a-fib), losing weight before treatment is likely to prevent a-fib from returning. There is a possibility of becoming.
In a new study, patients with overweight or obese atrial fibrillation when ablated to correct abnormal cardiac rhythms were more likely to experience recurrence of atrial fibrillation than those who did not.
Atrial fibrillation occurs when the ventricles above the heart quiver randomly, causing rapid arrhythmias. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the risk of stroke and heart failure increases dramatically. Ablation incinerates or freezes a small part of the heart to create scars and prevent the spread of abnormal electrical impulses.
“Patients overweight have a higher risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation after ablation than those of normal weight, and increasing the classification of obesity index gradually increases the risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation. “Herlev cardiologist and research author Dr. Jacob Tønnesen said. -Gentofte University Hospital in Hellerup, Denmark.
“Active weight management in overweight patients, pre-ablation, can provide substantial benefits and improve short-term and long-term outcomes after ablation,” he said.
It is not yet known how much weight a person with atrial fibrillation should lose before ablation therapy.
“One study found that a 10% weight loss significantly reduced the burden of atrial fibrillation, but more research is needed on this,” said Tønnesen.
In this study, more than 9,200 people who were treated for atrial fibrillation for the first time in Denmark were divided into five groups. The group was based on Body Mass Index (BMI), an estimate of body fat based on height and weight: underweight, normal weight, overweight, obesity, morbid obesity. Next, researchers compared the BMI category to the risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation.
Compared to people with normal BMI, the likelihood of atrial fibrillation at 1 year was 19% higher in the overweight group, 22% higher in the obese group, and 32% higher in the morbidly obese group.
Studies have shown that the same pattern was seen five years later. There was no difference in the risk of recurrence between underweight or normal weight people. The findings were retained even after researchers managed other factors known to increase the risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation.
Overweight and obesity are as risky of recurrence of atrial fibrillation as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and high blood pressure. All of these are usually treated for people with atrial fibrillation.
The study was presented online at a conference of the European Society of Cardiology on Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark. Findings presented at medical conferences are usually considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Experts who have not participated in the study agree that losing weight before treatment for atrial fibrillation greatly increases the chances of success.
Dr. Rachel Maria Brown Taraska, director of inpatient cardiac services at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said that people who are overweight or obese and need ablation to correct atrial fibrillation always lose weight first. Will be counseled.
“Many studies have shown that weight loss is associated with reduced severity of atrial fibrillation, improved symptoms and recurrence rates,” she said.
This makes sense in terms of the structure of the heart. “Weight loss is associated with a reduction in the size of the left atrium, which tends to grow with atrial fibrillation, and this larger size tends to increase atrial fibrillation attacks in the future,” said Brown Taraska. rice field.
Dr. Deepak Bhatt, Executive Director of the Intervention Cardiovascular Program at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center in Boston, agreed.
“This is a large and well-done study, adding additional evidence that people with overweight atrial fibrillation should try to lose weight,” he said.
Previous studies have shown that overweight contributes significantly to the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, Bhatt said.
“For those who are already in this state, losing weight, especially atrial fibrillation, seems to be very problematic, and the risk of recurrence seems to be lower if a procedure is required, as in this study,” he said. Stated.
For more information
The National Institute of Cardiopulmonary and Blood Research has more information on atrial fibrillation (a-fib).
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