New research involving over 87,000 adults suggests that even small amounts of physical activity are associated with reduced risks of stroke and death for people with atrial fibrillation.

A study of 87,340 participants from two large Norwegian research projects indicates that physical activity is associated with lower rates of stroke and death, regardless of whether individuals have atrial fibrillation (AFib). Among those with the condition, even low levels of activity were linked to a significantly lower adjusted risk of stroke over a 15-year period compared to being sedentary.

Study Methodology and Findings

The research, which followed participants for a median of 13.5 years, utilized national health registries and hospital records to track AFib diagnoses, strokes, and deaths. During the study period, 3,415 strokes and 7,833 deaths were recorded. Participants reported their exercise frequency, duration, and intensity, with 18% identified as inactive, 38% as having low activity, 24% as moderate, and 22% as high activity. Across the entire cohort, low, moderate, and high activity levels were associated with stroke risk reductions of 9%, 19%, and 18% respectively, compared to inactivity. Similar benefits were observed regarding the risk of death from any cause. Additionally, higher activity levels were linked to increased life expectancy for those with AFib, ranging from 0.50 to 1.15 additional years depending on the activity level.

Clinical Perspective on Exercise and AFib

Experts noted that while the findings are encouraging, the study is observational and cannot prove that exercise directly caused these outcomes. Limitations include the reliance on self-reported exercise data and the lack of information regarding anticoagulant use. Medical professionals emphasized that exercise should serve as a complement to, not a replacement for, standard AFib treatments and medications. Some individuals with AFib may avoid exercise due to symptoms like heart palpitations, fatigue, or dizziness. However, experts stated that exercise-induced AFib episodes are rare for most patients. Clinicians recommend that those new to exercise or experiencing significant symptoms consult a healthcare professional before beginning a new regimen, suggesting starting with short, light activities like walking.