Norwegian Cohort Links Low Physical Activity to 9% Lower Stroke Risk in AFib Patients
Observational data from two large Norwegian cohorts show graded reductions in stroke and death with increasing physical activity, even at low levels, among people with AFib. The associations are consistent but limited by self-report and potential confounding. Randomized trials with device-measured activity are needed to establish causality.
Next steps require randomized trials that objectively measure activity dose, adjudicate stroke subtypes, and test whether light activity modifies left-atrial remodeling or anticoagulation efficacy. Until then, clinicians can safely recommend moving from sedentary to low activity as an adjunct to guideline-directed AFib therapy.
VITALIS: Within 36 months, at least one multicenter RCT of device-tracked light activity versus usual care in AFib will report a primary endpoint of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism with >20% relative risk reduction.
Sources (2)
- [1]Primary Source(https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae123)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206917)