Being physically active, even at light levels, may significantly reduce the risk of stroke and death in 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 over about 15 years, found that 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, the risk of death from any cause was 11%, 18%, and 22% lower for low, moderate, and high activity levels, respectively.
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, emphasized the importance of these findings. "In general, people with AFib appear to be less active than the general population," he said. "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."
AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related conditions. The American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics estimate that AFib affects about 10.55 million adults in the U.S., representing 4.48% of the adult population.
The study's findings were consistent regardless of whether participants had AFib, suggesting that having AFib does not alter the beneficial relationship between physical activity and stroke risk. For people with AFib, staying active was associated with living an average of 0.5 to 1.2 years longer compared to inactive individuals.
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, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. This study reinforces that even lower levels of activity can provide health benefits.
Mina Chung, M.D., FAHA, co-chair of a 2023 joint guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation, noted that this study "adds important evidence linking physical activity with lower risks of stroke and death in people with and without AFib." She added, "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 the 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 physical activity levels, considering frequency, duration, and intensity.
While the study's observational design means that other factors could have influenced the results, Johansen noted that similar findings would be expected in the U.S. population. The study's limitations include reliance on self-reported activity and the possibility of unmeasured confounding factors.
Johansen hopes these results will encourage clinicians and patients to recognize the benefits of even light physical activity. "Real health benefits can happen no matter when a person starts getting active, and even a little exercise is better than nothing," he said.
