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Physical Activity, Resting Heart Rate, and Atrial Fibrillation
Study Questions:
What is the relationship between exercise, resting heart rate, and atrial fibrillation (AF)?
Methods:
The subjects of this study were 20,484 adults (mean age 38 years) who participated in a survey in Norway in 1986-1987. Physical activity was assessed with a detailed questionnaire and resting heart rate (RHR) was measured. The individuals then were followed for a mean of 20 years. Individuals who developed AF were identified on the basis of a hospital-based diagnosis.
Results:
AF was diagnosed in 750 individuals during follow-up. The AF incidence was 2.62/1,000 person-years in men and 1.07/1,000 person-years in women. In a multivariate analysis, moderate activity (walking, cycling, or other exercise for ≥4 hours/week) was independently associated with a 19% lower risk of AF compared to low activity. The risk of AF associated with high activity or vigorous activity (intense training or competition several times/week) did not differ significantly from the risk in low-activity individuals. There was a weak but significant inverse relationship between physical activity and RHR. The risk of AF decreased by 8% for every 10 bpm increase in RHR.
Conclusions:
The authors concluded that moderate exercise reduces the risk of AF and a low RHR increases the risk of AF.
Perspective:
The finding that a low RHR heightens the risk of AF suggests that the increase in baseline vagal tone associated with vigorous exercise may play a role in attenuating or eliminating the protective effects of moderate exercise on the development of AF.
Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Disease, Prevention, Sports and Exercise Cardiology, Implantable Devices, SCD/Ventricular Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias, Exercise
Keywords: Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Atrial Fibrillation, Bicycling, Exercise, Heart Rate, Motor Activity, Risk, Secondary Prevention, Walking
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