Physical Activity Reduces Stroke, Mortality, Regardless of A-Fib

TUESDAY, Aug. 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk for stroke and mortality among individuals with and without atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Aug. 5 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Kristoffer Robin Johansen, Ph.D., from UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, and colleagues examined the impact of PA on stroke and mortality among 87,340 participants (6,539 with AF) from two Norwegian population-based studies. Based on a questionnaire, participants were classified as inactive (reference) or performing low, moderate, or high PA.

The researchers reported there were 3,415 strokes and 7,833 deaths during a median follow-up of 13.5 years. The stroke risk reductions were 9, 19, and 18 percent in association with low, moderate, and high PA, respectively. The corresponding mortality reductions were 11, 18, and 22 percent. When stratifying by presence or absence of AF, similar benefits were observed for both stroke and mortality. An increased life expectancy was observed among individuals with AF, with gains of 0.50, 0.66, and 1.15 years, respectively.

“I hope our results will increase awareness among clinicians and people with AFib about the benefits of even low levels of physical activity,” Johansen said. “Real health benefits can happen no matter when a person starts getting active, and even a little exercise is better than nothing.”

One author disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text