Frequent drinking is more likely than binge drinking to increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which increases the risk of stroke fivefold.

For a new study, researchers analyzed data from 9.7 million people without AFib at a 2009 health checkup. The participants were asked about their alcohol consumption and were followed until 2017.

The strongest risk factor for AFib was the number of times per week a person drank. The greatest risk was seen in those who drank every day, followed by drinking twice or once a week.

As in previous studies, this one found an association between the amount of alcohol consumed and risk of AFib. For each gram of alcohol consumed per week, new-onset AFib risk rose 2 percent. Compared to mild drinkers, those who drank no alcohol had an 8.6 percent higher risk.

Moderate drinkers had a 7.7 percent higher risk, and heavy drinkers a 21.5 percent higher risk.

“Recommendations about alcohol consumption have focused on reducing the absolute amount rather than the frequency,” study author Dr. Jong-Il Choi said in a journal news release. “Our study suggests that drinking less often may also be important to protect against atrial fibrillation.”