Journal article

Atrial fibrillation in former world-class rowers: role of environmental and genetic factors

MD Flannery, R Canovas, K Janssens, AM Mitchell, P D’Ambrosio, LW Spencer, SJ Rowe, ED Paratz, G Claessen, M Myrstad, S Ruiz-Carmona, PE Young, M Ohanian, M Soka, EM Rath, E Giannoulatou, R Johnson, C Yu, P Lacaze, AD Elliott Show all

European Heart Journal | Published : 2025

Abstract

Background and Aims Endurance sport has been associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which this is due to exercise burden or genetic predisposition. Methods Former rowers aged 45–80 years who competed at international championships were compared with a control group extracted from the UK Biobank, matched (1:100) for age and sex. Evaluation included 12-lead and Holter electrocardiograms, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and genetic analyses including rare variant evaluation and derivation of a validated AF polygenic risk score (AF-PRS). Results Of 121 rowers [age 62 years (interquartile range 54–69), 74% male], 26 (21..

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