Women are at greater risk of heart rhythm disorders than men

A new study refutes the common belief that men are atrial fibrillation risk is higher than women and shows that women have a 50 percent higher risk of developing the arrhythmia when height is taken into account.

"Our study, however, unexpectedly shows that if men and women are the same height, women are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation," said study senior author Dr. Christine Albert, chief of cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. 

The findings were published in the journal JAMA Cardiology.

Albert led the national VITAL rhythm study, on which the findings are based.

The VITAL study examined the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements on atrial fibrillation among 25,000 men 50 and older and women 55 and older with no history of heart rhythm disorders, cardiovascular disease or cancer.

The researchers said the findings underscore the importance of preventing atrial fibrillation in women, especially since it is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder.

And although the incidence of atrial fibrillation in women is lower than in men, women are more likely to suffer the adverse effects of the condition: stroke, heart failure or death.

Prevention strategies include maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure, limiting alcohol intake, and moderate exercise, scientists say.

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