Lifestyle contributors to atrial fibrillation

Lifestyle factors can contribute to AF in two ways: they can act as long-term contributors that gradually increase vulnerability, and they can act as short-term triggers that start episodes.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a common trigger for some people. Episodes can occur after a binge (“holiday heart”) or after moderate drinking in sensitive individuals. Alcohol can also contribute longer-term by affecting heart tissue and the nervous system that controls heart rate.

• Some people notice AF reliably after alcohol — that pattern matters.
• If alcohol triggers AF, reducing or avoiding it can be high-yield.

Weight and metabolic health

Excess weight increases the risk of AF through increased strain on the heart, higher rates of high blood pressure and sleep apnea, and inflammation around the heart.

Stimulants (including some medications)

Stimulants can increase the chance of AF in some people. This can include illicit stimulants, high-dose energy drinks, or medications with stimulant-like effects. If you suspect a temporal link, discuss it with your clinician before making changes.

Exercise extremes

Regular exercise is generally protective for heart health. However, very high volumes of endurance training over many years may increase AF risk in some individuals. This is not a reason to avoid exercise; it is a nuance relevant mainly to long-term high-volume endurance athletes.

Stress, sleep loss, dehydration

Stress and poor sleep can affect the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Dehydration can change electrolytes and raise stress hormones. These can be triggers, especially when underlying vulnerability already exists.