{"id":5695,"date":"2023-09-04T04:25:51","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T04:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/?p=5695"},"modified":"2023-09-04T04:25:51","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T04:25:51","slug":"simple-aerobic-exercise-can-significantly-reduce-your-risk-of-afib-and-stroke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/?p=5695","title":{"rendered":"Simple Aerobic Exercise Can Significantly Reduce Your Risk of AFib and Stroke"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20370%20247'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load wp-image-5696\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28-770x433.png 770w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28-293x165.png 293w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28-390x219.png 390w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/image-28.png 1296w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>New research finds that simple exercise like a daily walk can lower your risk of AFib and and stroke while more intense regular exercise may reduce risks even more. SolStock\/Getty Images<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>New research suggests that exercise can help lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Greater exercise performance was found to be associated with lower rates of AFib, although even a simple walk a day can help.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The findings also suggest that exercise may further reduce stroke risks, beyond AFib-associated risks.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A walk a day could help reduce your risk of heart rhythm disorder \u2014 also known as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/living-with-atrial-fibrillation\">atrial fibrillation (AFib)<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 and stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s according to new&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurekalert.org\/news-releases\/998897\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">research<\/a>&nbsp;being presented at the&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.escardio.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">European Society of Cardiology<\/a>&nbsp;August 25\u201328.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data from over 15,000 people without prior atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) who underwent exercise treadmill testing between 2003\u20132012 were analyzed. Greater exercise performance was found to be associated with lower rates of AF, although even a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/benefits-of-walking\">simple walk<\/a>&nbsp;a day could help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specifically, participants were divided into three fitness levels according to metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved during the treadmill test: low (less than 8.57 METs), medium (8.57 to 10.72), and high (more than 10.72).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The probability of remaining without atrial fibrillation over a five-year period was 97.1%, 98.4% and 98.4% in the low, medium, and high fitness groups, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe exercise capacity is determined by many factors, including age, morbidities, and cardiopulmonary fitness,\u201d said Dr. Shih-Hsien Sung, PhD, study author and associate professor at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei, Taiwan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe study results demonstrated subjects with achieved METs of &lt;6~9 were at risk of developing AF. Given morbidities and fitness were modifiable risk factors, the encouragement of simply daily walking training may mitigate the risks of AF,\u201d Sung added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sung also pointed out that their findings demonstrate exercise capacity may further reduce&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/stroke\">stroke<\/a>&nbsp;risks, beyond AF-associated risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Research findings inform AFib and stroke prevention&nbsp;<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American Heart Association (AHA)&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/atrial-fibrillation\/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af\" target=\"_blank\">reportsTrusted Source<\/a>&nbsp;over 12 million people are projected to have AFib by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. It can lead to other heart complications such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/symptoms-and-complications-blood-clots\">blood clots<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>stroke<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/heart-failure\">heart failure<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs an electrophysiologist, this is something that we discuss with all of our patients as part of lifestyle modifications for prevention and in patients with AF for management of their atrial arrhythmias,\u201d said&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.memorialcare.org\/providers\/nikhil-p-warrier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. Nikhil Warrier<\/a>, cardiac electrophysiologist and medical director of electrophysiology at MemorialCare Heart &amp; Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warrier says the findings are consistent with what has been shown in&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25904645\/\" target=\"_blank\">prior studiesTrusted Source<\/a>&nbsp;with respect to the link between regular exercise and reduced risk of AFib in a&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ahajournals.org\/doi\/10.1161\/circulationaha.108.785626\" target=\"_blank\">large cohortTrusted Source<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cInterestingly, there is a&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2405500X17305261?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\">significant body<\/a>&nbsp;of literature&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heartlungcirc.org\/article\/S1443-9506(18)30467-0\/fulltext#back-bib0045\" target=\"_blank\">showing<\/a>&nbsp;paradoxically increased risk of developing AFib by participating in endurance exercise,\u201d said Warrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drvonschwarz.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dr. Ernst von Schwarz<\/a>, PhD, a cardiologist, professor of medicine at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and author of \u201c<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/195023935-the-secrets-of-immortality\" target=\"_blank\">The Secrets of Immortality<\/a>,\u201d said these observational data are confirming the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/theres-no-limit-to-the-cardiovascular-benefits-of-exercise\">benefits of exercise<\/a>\u00a0for cardiovascular health, even though the data are not derived from a prospective, controlled randomized study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>What\u2019s the link between exercise and AFib?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, Warrier explained that physical activity can lead to improved&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/best-exercise-for-weight-loss\">weight loss<\/a>, lipid (blood fat) profiles,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/how-aerobic-and-resistance-training-can-help-lower-your-blood-pressure\">blood pressure<\/a>, glucose control, and can lead to reduced instances of myocardial infarction (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/heart-attack\">heart attacks<\/a>) and incidence of heart failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll of these are risk factors for development of AF, and so by decreasing the incidence of these risk factors, AF incidence could be decreased,\u201d said Warrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Von Schwarz said that this study confirms what cardiologists have preached for decades: exercise is good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe reasons are not completely understood but are likely due to the fact that our blood vessels remain elastic doing regular physical activity and our hearts are more conditioned with exercise that renders us more tolerant towards the development of degenerative cardiac problems including the occurrence of arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation,\u201d von Schwarz told Healthline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>How to begin an exercise routine to improve your heart health<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you already have a cardiac condition, it is important to discuss this with your medical provider,\u201d Warrier warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, even if you haven\u2019t had a cardiac event, working with a healthcare provider or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/fitness\/benefits-of-personal-training\">personal fitness trainer<\/a>&nbsp;can still be helpful before beginning any new exercise program, particularly if you are living with any complex physical health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warrier said it\u2019s important to keep in mind that the exact recommendations for people looking to start exercising for specific heart health reasons will vary from person to person. Therefore, it\u2019s important to not compare your specific routine with the intensity of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe first step is to assess your own physical fitness. If you have not been active, then the goal would be to slowly work up to 30 minutes of moderate&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/fitness-exercise\/benefits-of-aerobic-exercise\">aerobic exercise<\/a>&nbsp;4-5 days a week,\u201d Warrier said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Incorporation of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/fitness\/benefits-of-strength-training\">strength training<\/a>&nbsp;is also advised, he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\" target=\"_blank\">ATrusted Source<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\" target=\"_blank\">HTrusted Source<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\" target=\"_blank\">ATrusted Source<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\" target=\"_blank\">Trusted Source<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\" target=\"_blank\">recommendsTrusted Source<\/a>&nbsp;at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aerobic activities include any activity that increases your heartbeat enough to change how much oxygen flows in the blood and to organs and muscle groups, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>walking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>jogging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>swimming<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cycling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guidelines also suggest adding at least two days a week of muscle-strengthening activities, such as resistance training using resistance bands, free weights, or weight machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>The bottom line<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New research suggests that exercise can help lower the risk of AFib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greater exercise performance was found to be associated with lower rates of AFib, although even a simple walk a day can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings also suggest that exercise may further reduce stroke risks, beyond AFib-associated risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/even-a-simple-daily-walk-can-significantly-lower-your-risk-of-afib-and-stroke\">Source<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A walk a day could help reduce your risk of heart rhythm disorder \u2014 also known as&nbsp;atrial fibrillation (AFib)&nbsp;\u2014 and stroke. That\u2019s according to new&nbsp;research&nbsp;being presented at the&nbsp;European Society of Cardiology&nbsp;August 25\u201328. Data from over 15,000 people without prior atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) who underwent exercise treadmill testing between 2003\u20132012 were analyzed. Greater exercise performance was found to be associated with lower rates of AF, although even a&nbsp;simple walk&nbsp;a day could help. Specifically, participants were divided into three fitness [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-preventative-care"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5695"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5697,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5695\/revisions\/5697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}