A recent study from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has found that older adults and women with atrial fibrillation (AFib) living near oil and natural gas well sites may experience more severe symptoms during site development.
Led by Dr. Lisa McKenzie, the research revealed that AFib patients over 80 living within 0.39 miles of these well sites faced an 83% increase in risk for exacerbation and twice the risk of emergency room visits due to AFib symptoms. Women in the same proximity had a 56% increase in exacerbation risk. The elevated risks were noted up to 0.8 miles from well sites but diminished after development ended. The study did not observe similar effects in younger people and men.
“The potential link between oil and natural gas well development, a notable source of noise and air pollution, and increased AFib risk deserves attention from healthcare providers, regulators, and policymakers,” said Dr. McKenzie.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Epidemiology, the study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Center for Improving Value in Health Care. Co-authors included Dr. William Allshouse and Dr. Barbara Abrahams from CU Anschutz, and Dr. Christine Tompkins from Emory University.
The research team analyzed data from 1,197 AFib patients living within one mile of well sites and 9,764 patients living more than two miles away, using Colorado’s All Payer Claims Dataset. They used an interrupted time series design to account for factors like chronic health conditions, personal behaviors, and regional environmental trends.
“This study enables ColoradoSPH faculty and researchers to inform policymakers and guide regulators on strategies to protect the health of Coloradans,” said Travis Leiker, assistant dean of external relations at ColoradoSPH. Notably, 6% of Colorado’s population lives within one mile of active oil and gas development sites, with current regulations requiring a 2,000-foot setback from homes.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common serious heart rhythm disorder, affecting about 9.3 million Americans. It increases the risk of stroke, systemic embolism, and heart failure, contributing to approximately 130,000 deaths and $6 billion in healthcare costs annually.
Previous studies have associated AFib with higher levels of air pollutants and noise, common near oil and gas developments. However, this study did not measure noise and air pollution directly, making it difficult to establish specific causal links.
“While our study enhances understanding of the relationship between well site development and AFib exacerbation, further research is needed to clarify the specific impacts of environmental factors like noise and air pollution on AFib,” McKenzie said.
