New research shows men who consume 35 or more alcoholic drinks per week are 45 percent more likely to experience atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm problem, than those who consume less than one drink per week.

Researchers say the same is probably true in women, but no firm conclusions could be reached because there weren't enough women classified as heavy drinkers in the study.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat erratically. Because blood does not empty from the chambers as it should, clots may form, which can eventually dislodge, pass to the brain, and cause a stroke.

Patients with atrial fibrillation are often treated with blood thinners as well as with medications that slow down the heart rate.

Findings of the research are based on analysis of data from 16,415 men and women who participated in the Copenhagen City Heart Study, a population-based study started in 1976. During follow-up, a total of 1071 new cases of atrial fibrillation occurred.

Heavy alcohol consumption was linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in men. Researchers estimate about 5 percent of atrial fibrillation cases in men were caused by heavy alcohol use.