Even low levels of exercise were linked to a lower stroke risk among adults with atrial fibrillation (AF), a long-term Norwegian study suggests.
AF is a heart rhythm disorder that causes a rapid, irregular heartbeat and increases the risk of stroke.
The study included more than 87,340 adults aged 30 to 99 in Norway, including 6,539 people with AF who were receiving standard medical treatment.
Participants were followed for a median of 13.5 years, with information on strokes and deaths collected from national health registries.
They also reported how often, how long and how intensely they usually exercised. Researchers classified them into inactive, low, moderate and high physical activity groups.
The moderate group met current physical activity guidelines by doing moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes almost every day, or an equivalent amount each week.
People in the low-activity group did moderate-intensity exercise for less than 15 minutes almost every day, or an equivalent amount.
The high-activity group reported vigorous exercise for at least 30 minutes almost every day, or an equivalent amount.
Compared with inactive participants, those reporting moderate or high levels of physical activity had a nearly 20 per cent lower risk of stroke. Low activity was linked to a 9 per cent lower risk.
Physical activity was also associated with a lower risk of death from any cause.
Compared with inactivity, low activity was linked to an 11 per cent reduction, moderate activity to an 18 per cent reduction and high activity to a 22 per cent reduction.
Similar benefits were seen among people with and without AF, suggesting that the increased stroke risk among people with AF might be countered at least in part by physical activity.
Among participants with AF, being physically active was also associated with living an average of six to 14 months longer than being inactive.
