Being physically active, even lightly, may reduce the risk of stroke and death in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study, which analyzed data from more than 87,000 adults in Norway, found that any level of physical activity was linked to lower risks of stroke and death from any cause, with the greatest benefits seen at moderate to high activity levels.
AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related complications. In the U.S., an estimated 10.55 million adults have AFib, representing 4.48% of the adult population, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. People with AFib are often less active than the general population, but this study suggests that even modest activity can make a difference.
Lead study author Kristoffer Johansen, Ph.D., a researcher at the School of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, said, “In general, people with AFib appear to be less active than the general population. The results from our study indicate that physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of stroke and death in individuals with and without atrial fibrillation. So, regular physical activity is important for all and could be an important preventive strategy for people with AFib.”
The study tracked participants from two large Norwegian health studies—the HUNT Study and the Tromsø Study—for about 15 years. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their self-reported physical activity: inactive, low, moderate, and high. Compared to inactive adults, those with low, moderate, or high activity levels had a 9%, 19%, and 18% lower risk of stroke, respectively. Similarly, they had an 11%, 18%, and 22% lower risk of death from any cause.
The benefits were consistent whether or not participants had AFib, indicating that having the condition does not negate the positive effects of exercise. For people with AFib, staying active was associated with living an average of 0.5 to 1.2 years longer compared to inactive individuals.
Johansen noted that previous research on physical activity and stroke risk in AFib patients had been inconclusive, but this study provides stronger evidence of benefit. “I hope our results will increase awareness among clinicians and people with AFib about the benefits of even low levels of physical activity,” he said. “Real health benefits can happen no matter when a person starts getting active, and even a little exercise is better than nothing.”
Mina Chung, M.D., FAHA, co-chair of a 2023 joint guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation from the American Heart Association and other organizations, commented, “This study adds important evidence linking physical activity with lower risks of stroke and death in people with and without AFib. It’s important to remember that physical activity may also reflect overall health. Still, the results motivate patients to be as active as they can—even lower levels of activity were associated with benefit, while moderate to high levels were linked to greater benefit.”
Chung is a professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
The study’s limitations include reliance on self-reported activity and potential confounding factors, as more active individuals tend to lead healthier lifestyles overall. However, the researchers adjusted for several variables, and Johansen believes similar results would be seen in U.S. adults.
The American Heart Association recommends that all adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. This study reinforces that recommendation, even for those with AFib.
