Being physically active was linked to a lower risk of stroke and death for adults with atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 87,000 adults in Norway over about 15 years, tracking AFib, stroke, and death through national health registries. They found that compared with inactive adults, those with low, moderate, or high physical activity levels had a 9%, 19%, and 18% lower risk of stroke, respectively, and an 11%, 18%, and 22% lower risk of death from any cause, respectively. These benefits were similar regardless of whether a person had AFib, suggesting that the protective effect of exercise is not diminished by the condition.
“In general, people with AFib appear to be less active than the general population,” said lead study author Kristoffer Johansen, Ph.D., a researcher at the School of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø. “Our results indicate that physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of stroke and death in individuals with and without atrial fibrillation. So, regular physical activity is important for all and could be an important preventive strategy for people with AFib.”
The American Heart Association recommends all adults spend less time sitting and get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. The study’s findings reinforce that even low levels of activity can yield health benefits.
For people with AFib, staying active was tied to living an average of 0.5 to 1.2 years longer compared with those who were inactive. “I hope our results will increase awareness among clinicians and people with AFib about the benefits of even low levels of physical activity,” Johansen said. “Real health benefits can happen no matter when a person starts getting active, and even a little exercise is better than nothing.”
Mina Chung, M.D., FAHA, co-chair of a 2023 joint guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation from the American Heart Association and other organizations, commented, “This study adds important evidence linking physical activity with lower risks of stroke and death in people with and without AFib. It’s important to remember that physical activity may also reflect overall health. Still, the results motivate patients to be as active as they can—even lower levels of activity were associated with benefit, while moderate to high levels were linked to greater benefit.”
The study included participants from the HUNT Study and Tromsø Study in Norway, with an average age of about 51 years at enrollment. More than 6,500 participants had AFib. Researchers categorized participants into four groups based on self-reported frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity. The study used a multiple-records approach, reclassifying individuals who developed AFib during follow-up to that group for more accurate results.
Limitations include the observational design, self-reported activity levels, and potential unmeasured confounding factors. However, Johansen said similar results would be expected in the U.S. population. The findings underscore the importance of physical activity as a preventive strategy for stroke and premature death, especially in people with AFib.
