Are gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial fibrillation connected?
Researchers have found that gastroesophageal reflux disease may be causally linked to atrial fibrillation, according to findings published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.
In the study, the researchers analyzed the data from two large European genome-wide association studies involving more than 1.6 million patients with or without gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial fibrillation.
They uncovered a statistically significant causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial fibrillation. Although little is understood about the exact biological mechanisms underlying the association, they hypothesized that proinflammatory cytokines released as a result of esophageal injuries in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease may promote a favorable environment for the development of atrial fibrillation.
The researchers concluded that the early treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease may help reduce the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
Read more: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
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