Exercise cuts stroke and mortality risk in atrial fibrillation patients

A Norwegian cohort study of more than 87,000 adults followed for 15 years found that regular physical activity lowers the risk of stroke and death among people with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Compared with inactive participants, those with low, moderate or high activity levels experienced 9%, 19% and 18% reductions in stroke risk, respectively, and 11%, 18% and 22% reductions in all‑cause mortality. The benefits were similar for participants without AFib, and active individuals with AFib lived up to 1.2 years longer on average.

The research was led by Dr. Kristoffer Johansen of the School of Sport Sciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The findings support existing medical advice that even modest daily movement—at least 150 minutes of moderate‑intensity activity per week, as recommended by the American Heart Association—can improve outcomes for patients with irregular heart rhythms.