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. The study, which analyzed data from more than 87,000 adults in Norway, found that even low levels of physical activity were associated with significant health benefits.
AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related conditions. The American Heart Association estimates that about 10.55 million adults in the U.S. have AFib, representing 4.48% of the adult population. For these individuals, the new findings offer encouraging news: physical activity may be a powerful tool in reducing their risk of stroke and premature death.
The study tracked participants for about 15 years, using national health registries to capture information on AFib, stroke, and death. Compared to inactive adults, those with low, moderate, or high physical activity levels had a 9%, 19%, and 18% lower risk of stroke, respectively. Similarly, low, moderate, and high activity levels were associated with an 11%, 18%, and 22% lower risk of death from any cause. Importantly, these benefits were similar regardless of whether a person had AFib or not.
“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 UiT The Arctic University of Norway. “The results from our study 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.”
For people with AFib, staying active was tied to living an average of 0.5 to 1.2 years longer compared to those who were inactive. This suggests that even modest amounts of exercise can extend life expectancy.
The American Heart Association recommends that all adults 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 two days a week. The study’s findings support these guidelines and emphasize that some activity is better than none.
Mina Chung, M.D., co-chair of a 2023 joint guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation from the American Heart Association, 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’s strengths include its large sample size and long follow-up. However, the researchers noted limitations: participants self-reported their physical activity, which may be overestimated, and because the study was observational, other factors could have influenced the results. Despite these limitations, the findings are consistent with previous research suggesting cardiovascular benefits from exercise.
Johansen hopes the results will encourage clinicians to promote physical activity for AFib patients. “Real health benefits can happen no matter when a person starts getting active, and even a little exercise is better than nothing,” he said.
For more information on physical activity and heart health, visit the American Heart Association’s resources on getting physically active and the Healthy for Good initiative.
