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Study Finds Regular Exercise Tied to Lower Stroke and Death Risk in Adults With Atrial Fibrillation

A large Norwegian analysis suggests staying active can add months to years of life and cut stroke risk, but the observational design and self‑reported activity mean it cannot prove cause and effect.

Walking - man and women toward - Outside track
Exercise linked to lower stroke risk among AFib patients

Overview

  • Researchers published the analysis in the Journal of the American Heart Association on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, using data from the HUNT and Tromsø cohorts.
  • The study followed about 87,340 adults for roughly 13.5 to 15 years and used national registries to record 3,415 strokes and 7,833 deaths.
  • Compared with inactive people, low, moderate and high activity levels were linked to 9%, 19% and 18% lower stroke risk and to 11%, 18% and 22% lower all‑cause mortality, respectively.
  • Among people who had or developed atrial fibrillation, being active was associated with living on average 0.5 to 1.2 years longer, but the results may reflect healthier behaviors that the study could not fully measure.
  • The findings support current American Heart Association advice to get regular aerobic and strength activity and give clinicians stronger observational evidence to encourage patients with AFib to be as active as they safely can.