Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Glucagon-like peptide-1 and atrial fibrillation incidence: Associations independent of weight loss
- retrospective cohort study
- single academic center
- 1:1 matched control cohort
- propensity scores
Authors' conclusion
GLP-1 therapy significantly reduces AF incidence and mortality even in the absence of weight loss. These findings support potential antiarrhythmic properties of GLP-1s independent of their metabolic effects.
Study context
- Population
- Patients initiated on GLP-1 therapy at a single academic center from 2020 to 2023patients initiated on GLP-1 therapy
- Participants
- 12,812 patients
- Exposure
- GLP-1 use compared with controls
- GLP-1 usen = 12,812
Main finding
AF
Hazard ratio
0.67
P < 0.001
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | hazard ratio | P value |
|---|---|---|
| mortality | 0.34 | P < 0.001 |
Atrial fibrillation (AF), by weight change group (subgroup) · weight trend after 6 months of GLP-1 use
- This protective effect persisted across all weight change groups, including patients who gained weight
AF, by GLP-1 agent (subgroup)
- Among GLP-1 agents, only semaglutide showed a statistically significant AF risk reduction
AF and mortality, by duration of GLP-1 use (subgroup)
- AF risk reduction appeared after 24 months of GLP-1 use
- Mortality benefit persisted across all treatment durations
Original publication
Glucagon-like peptide-1 and atrial fibrillation incidence: Associations independent of weight loss. Heart Rhythm. Published 23 April 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.03.1940
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it