Exercise performance and risk of incident atrial fibrillation
Stay fit to avoid heart rhythm disorders and strokes
A study of more than 15,000 people found that physical fitness is linked to a lower chance of developing atrial fibrillation and stroke. The research is presented at the ESC Congress 2023.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting more than 40 million people worldwide. It is estimated that one in three Europeans will develop atrial fibrillation in their lifetime. Patients with the condition have a five times higher risk of stroke than their peers. This study examined whether physical fitness was related to the likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation.
The study included 15,450 people without atrial fibrillation who were referred for treadmill testing between 2003 and 2012. The average age was 55 years and 59% were men. Fitness was assessed using the Bruce protocol, in which participants are asked to walk faster and steeper in successive three-minute stages. Fitness was calculated according to the rate of energy expenditure achieved by participants, which was expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs).
Participants were followed for new-onset atrial fibrillation, stroke, myocardial infarction, and death . The researchers looked at associations between physical fitness and atrial fibrillation, stroke, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death) after adjusting for factors that could influence the relationships. such as age, sex, cholesterol level, kidney function, previous stroke, hypertension, and medications.
Over a median of 137 months , 515 participants (3.3%) developed atrial fibrillation. Each increase in MET on the treadmill test was associated with an 8% lower risk of atrial fibrillation, a 12% lower risk of stroke, and a 14% lower risk of MACE.
Participants were divided into three fitness levels according to the METs achieved during the treadmill test: low (less than 8.57 METs), medium (8.57 to 10.72) and high (more than 10. 72). The probability of remaining free of atrial fibrillation over a five-year period was 97.1%, 98.4%, and 98.4% in the low, medium, and high fitness groups, respectively.
Study author Dr Shih-Hsien Sung, from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, said: “This was a large study with an objective measurement of fitness and more than 11 years of follow-up. The findings indicate that staying fit can help prevent atrial fibrillation and stroke.”
Reference : Exercise performance and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation . Presenter: Shih-Hsien Sung (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University - Taipei, Taiwan)
