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MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News)<\/p>\n
Parents are usually pleased when their newborn<\/a> seems big and strong, but new research suggests that large babies<\/a> may be at higher risk for the heart<\/a> rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation<\/a> later in life.<\/p>\n Atrial fibrillation<\/a> (a-fib<\/a>) is the most common heart<\/a> rhythm disorder, affecting more than 40 million people worldwide. People with a-fib<\/a> have a five times increased risk of stroke<\/a>.<\/p>\n The association between birth weight and a-fib<\/a> is controversial, which led the authors of this study to investigate it.<\/p>\n Using a special data analysis technique, the researchers concluded that there was a link between greater birth weight and an increased risk of a-fib<\/a> later in life.<\/p>\n Specifically, people with a birth weight that’s 1 pound above the average 7.5 pounds are 30% more likely to develop a-fib<\/a>, the findings showed.<\/p>\n The study is scheduled to be presented Monday at a virtual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).<\/p>\n “Our results suggest that the risk of atrial fibrillation<\/a> in adulthood may be higher for large newborns [over 8 pounds, 13 ounces] than those with normal birth weight,” said study author Songzan Chen, from Zhejiang University, in Hangzhou, China.<\/p>\n “Preventing elevated birth weight could be a novel way to avoid atrial fibrillation<\/a> in offspring — for example with a balanced diet<\/a> and regular check-ups during pregnancy<\/a>, particularly for women who are overweight<\/a>, obese<\/a> or have diabetes<\/a>,” Chen suggested in a meeting news release.<\/p>\n “People born with a high weight should adopt a healthy lifestyle to lower their likelihood of developing the heart rhythm disorder,” Chen recommended.<\/p>\n According to Michel Komajda, a past president of the ESC, “Atrial fibrillation<\/a> is a devastating illness that causes avoidable strokes<\/a> if left untreated. We know that people with unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation<\/a>, and risk can be lowered through physical activity and keeping body weight under control. This study is a welcome addition to our knowledge about how to prevent atrial fibrillation<\/a>.”<\/p>\n — Robert Preidt<\/p>\n![\"MedicalNews\"](\"https:\/\/images.medicinenet.com\/images\/HealthDay\/healthday.png\")
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