Retrospective analysis of seasonal patterns in atrial fibrillation incidence and temperature fluctuations

TL;DR

This study found that atrial fibrillation cases rise in winter and early spring, likely due to cold weather effects on the body.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence linking seasonal temperature changes to increased atrial fibrillation incidence.

Findings

AF incidence was significantly higher during winter and early spring.

AF showed an inverse correlation with mean daily temperature (r = -0.81, p < 0.001).

Elderly, hypertensive, and diabetic individuals were particularly affected.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common sustained arrhythmia contributing significantly to global morbidity and mortality.
This retrospective study analyzed 126,389 adult patients across three tertiary hospitals from 2018 to 2022 to assess the seasonal
variation in AF incidence with respect to ambient temperature. The incidence of AF was significantly higher during winter and early
spring, showing an inverse correlation with mean daily temperature (r = -0.81, p < 0.001), particularly among elderly, hypertensive,
and diabetic individuals. Cold-induced vasoconstriction, increased sympathetic tone, and inflammatory responses may underlie the
seasonal rise in AF admissions. Recognizing these temperature-related variations can assist in identifying high-risk periods and guide
preventive strategies to mitigate the burden of AF.