Coronary disease & ACSResearch article
Atrial fibrillation and risk of myocardial infarction by sex and time since diagnosis. The Tromsø Study 1994–2021
- Cox proportional- and Fine-Gray sub-distribution-hazard regression
- the Tromsø Study (1994-95)
- followed through 2021
Authors' conclusion
AF is a risk factor for MI in both sexes, but risk patterns differ. Women are at increased hazard of NSTEMI 1-10 + years since AF, while men are at increased hazard of STEMI within six months and NSTEMI within the first year.
Study context
- Population
- Participants from the Tromsø Study (1994–95) without atrial fibrillation (AF) and myocardial infarction (MI) at baseline53% women
- Participants
- 25,132 participants
- Comparison
- AF as a risk factor for MI, STEMI and NSTEMI overall and by time since AF diagnosis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incident AF and subsequent MI · During follow-up
women
115
men
124
Further findings
MI, women
| Comparison | sHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| AF · women | 1.39 (1.12–1.72) | |
| 0.512Subdistribution hazard ratio (log scale) |
MI in women by time since AF · ≥10 years
| Comparison | sHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| AF · women, peak at ≥10 years | 1.75 (1.07–2.84) | |
| 0.20.5125Subdistribution hazard ratio (log scale) |
MI in men by time since AF · within the first six months
| Comparison | sHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| AF · men, not increased thereafter | 2.27 (1.45–3.54) | |
| 0.20.5125Subdistribution hazard ratio (log scale) |
MI, women
- Not associated in men
MI in women by time since AF · ≥10 years
- In women, the hazard of MI increased 1-10 + years since AF
STEMI
- STEMI hazard was increased only in men within six months
NSTEMI
- NSTEMI hazard was elevated in women 1-10 + years since AF and in men within the first year
Original publication
Atrial fibrillation and risk of myocardial infarction by sex and time since diagnosis. The Tromsø Study 1994–2021. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 24 April 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcag039
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it