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Effect of exercise on AF risk differs by sex
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BOSTON — Among those with atrial fibrillation, women who engage in moderate and vigorous physical activity and men who engage in moderate physical activity have a reduced risk for incident atrial fibrillation, but men who engage in vigorous physical activity have an increased risk for incident atrial fibrillation, according to a new meta-analysis.
Previous research on the relationship between exercise and AF risk has suggested inconsistent results. A team of researchers evaluated 379,884 patients with AF (mean female age, 61 years; mean male age, 56 years) from 14 prospective observational studies that reported on the relationship between physical activity and AF incidence. The findings were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions.
Of the 14 studies, two included women only, two included women and men, and 10 included men only.
In men, vigorous exercise was associated with increased risk for AF (HR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.64-2.23), but moderate exercise was associated with reduced risk for AF (HR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.34-0.96), according to results of an adjusted pooled analysis. However, in women, both moderate (HR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.21-0.82) and high-intensity (HR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.43-0.94) physical activity were associated with reduced risk for AF.
Sanghamitra Mohanty
“Sustaining a workout routine can be intimidating for patients with AF because they are concerned about how it will further affect their heartbeat and potentially trigger an AF episode,” Sanghamitra Mohanty, MD, FHRS, senior researcher at Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David’s Medical Center, Austin, Texas, said in a press release. “Now that we know about the advantages of moderate physical activity in both men and women, we are able to provide specific tips and recommendations on how patients can exercise safely and at the same time benefit from the protective effect of exercise on AF and improve their overall quality of life.”
The researchers also noted that the relationship between the level of physical activity and AF “needs further evaluation in future studies with age- and exercise-intensity-matched population from both genders.” – by Erik Swain
Reference:
Mohanty S, et al. Abstract PO04-67. Presented at: Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions; May 13-16, 2015; Boston.
Disclosure: Mohanty reports no relevant financial disclosures.