Alcohol abstinence can halve AF burden: study

But many patients are loath to cut back, Australian researchers say
Clare Pain
Red wine being poured into a glass

Habitual drinkers with AF can reduce recurrence of arrhythmia if they abstain from alcohol, a small Australian trial shows.

Researchers from six Victorian hospitals randomised 140 people with AF who had more than 10 standard drinks a week (mean 17) to either abstinence for six months or drinking at their normal levels.