Friday, September 4th 2026
This heart rhythm disorder causes irregular and often fast beats. If left unchecked, this arrhythmia increases the risk of blood clots and stroke.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that even a low level of physical activity may be beneficial for people with atrial fibrillation.
More than 87,000 people were included in the study
More than 87,340 Norwegian adults aged 30 to 99 participated in the study. years old. Of those, 6,539 had atrial fibrillation and were receiving standard treatment for the condition.
Participants were followed for an average of 13.5 years. Researchers analyzed data on stroke and mortality, while participants reported how often they exercised, for how long, and at what intensity.
They were divided into four groups: inactive, low, moderate, and high activity.
Even a little exercise may be beneficial
Moderately active people exercised at least 30 minutes almost every day, while the low-active group did moderate exercise. almost every day, but less than 15 minutes.
Compared to people who were not physically active, those with moderate or high activity had about a 20 percent lower risk of stroke.
Even low activity was associated with about a 9 percent lower risk.
This does not mean that physical activity guarantees that stroke will not occur. The figure of 20 percent shows a relative reduction in risk compared to inactive people, Telegrafi reports.
Why physical activity can be important
In atrial fibrillation, the heart beats irregularly and blood can get stuck in some parts of the heart, creating conditions for the formation of clots. A clot that reaches the brain can cause a stroke.
The study showed that people with atrial fibrillation who were physically active not only had a lower risk of stroke, but lived an average of 6 to 14 months longer than inactive people with the same arrhythmia.
This is a statistical average and does not mean that every active person will live exactly that long.
No. necessarily. One of the most interesting findings is that the benefits were seen even in people with relatively little activity.
If a person with atrial fibrillation has not been physically active, it is not necessary to immediately start jogging or intense exercise.
daily walking;
a few short walks during the day;
light exercises according to physical condition;
gradual increase in activity time.
Even 10 to 15 minutes of moderate activity may be better than no movement at all.
Physical activity does not replace therapy
This is especially important: exercise should not be considered a substitute for treating atrial fibrillation.
Drugs to control heart rhythm or frequency and, when necessary, anticoagulants to prevent clots, have a different role than physical activity.
A person with atrial fibrillation should not stop or change therapy on their own initiative just because they have started to exercise.
If you want to start more intense activity, especially after a long period of inactivity, consultation with a cardiologist is advised.
The main message is simple: even a little movement can be better than none, but it must be done safely and in addition to the treatment described by the doctor.
Source: prizrenpost
