Even Light Physical Activity May Lower Stroke Risk in People With AFib

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that even minimal physical activity may lower stroke risk and premature death in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Researchers analyzed data from over 87,000 adults and found that any level of exercise was associated with reduced stroke and mortality rates, regardless of the presence of AFib.

Among those with the condition, even small amounts of activity were linked to a significantly lower adjusted risk of stroke over a 15-year period compared to being sedentary.

The findings support the importance of exercise for overall cardiovascular health, particularly for people with AFib who may be hesitant to engage in physical activity due to symptoms such as heart palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath. However, the study emphasizes that exercise should complement, not replace, standard AFib treatments, including medications for heart rate and rhythm control and anticoagulants to prevent blood clots.

Study author Rod Passman, MD, a professor of medicine and director of the Center for Arrhythmia Research at Northwestern University, noted that the benefits of exercise are dose-dependent, with more activity yielding greater reductions in stroke risk and improved life expectancy. Even moving from inactivity to a low level of physical activity was associated with better outcomes, including an additional 0.50 years of life for low activity, 0.66 years for moderate activity, and 1.15 years for high activity compared to inactivity.

While the study highlights the potential benefits of exercise for AFib patients, it also acknowledges limitations, such as self-reported physical activity levels and the possibility of unmeasured confounders that may impact stroke risk. Nevertheless, experts interviewed by Healthline agree that incorporating appropriate physical activity into a comprehensive treatment plan is essential, and exercise should not be viewed as a replacement for prescribed medications or medical management of AFib.