A new study presented at the ESC Congress 2023 shows that being physically fit can lower your risk of developing these conditions.
What is atrial fibrillation and why is it dangerous?
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder that affects more than 40 million people worldwide. It happens when the upper chambers of your heart beat irregularly and faster than normal. This can cause blood clots to form in your heart, which can travel to your brain and cause a stroke. People with atrial fibrillation have a five times higher risk of stroke than their peers.
How does fitness affect atrial fibrillation and stroke?
The study included more than 15,000 people who did not have atrial fibrillation and who underwent a treadmill test to measure their fitness. They were followed for an average of 11 years for new-onset atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart attack and death. The researchers found that higher fitness was associated with lower risks of all these outcomes.
For example, each one unit increase in fitness was linked with an 8% lower risk of atrial fibrillation, 12% lower risk of stroke and 14% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
The researchers also divided the participants into three fitness groups: low, medium and high. They found that the probability of remaining free from atrial fibrillation over a five-year period was 97.1%, 98.4% and 98.4% in the low, medium and high fitness groups, respectively.
What does this mean for you?
The study suggests that keeping fit may help you prevent atrial fibrillation and stroke, as well as other cardiovascular problems. The researchers recommend that you exercise regularly and follow a healthy lifestyle to improve your fitness level. You can also consult your doctor about your risk factors and how to manage them.
Remember, your heart is a muscle that needs to be trained and maintained. By staying fit, you can keep it strong and protect it from harm.
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