Could a good treadmill session not only keep you fit but also protect your heart? A recent study involving over 15,000 people says yes.
The study showed that those who are physically fit are less likely to develop atrial fibrillation—a type of irregular heartbeat—and are also less likely to have a stroke.
Atrial fibrillation isn’t deadly, but it can make you five times more likely to have a stroke, which can have severe consequences.
And considering that atrial fibrillation affects over 40 million people globally, that’s a big deal. One in three Europeans is estimated to face this condition in their lifetime.
How the Study Worked
The study had participants who were an average age of 55, and more than half were men. These folks didn’t have atrial fibrillation when they joined the study.
They were asked to do a treadmill test, and their fitness levels were measured. In this test, they had to walk faster and at a steeper angle at different stages. Scientists used these results to calculate how fit each person was.
They then tracked these participants for a very long time—11 years on average—to see if they developed atrial fibrillation, had a stroke, or faced other severe heart problems.
During this time, a small percentage (3.3%) did end up with atrial fibrillation. The researchers found that every bit of increase in the fitness level was linked to a lower risk of heart issues.
For example, for every one-unit increase in the fitness test, the risk of developing atrial fibrillation dropped by 8%, the risk of having a stroke went down by 12%, and the risk of other severe heart issues decreased by 14%.
What Fitness Levels Mean for Your Heart
The study even broke down the participants into three fitness categories—low, medium, and high—based on their treadmill test results.
Over a five-year period, people in the medium and high fitness groups had almost a 99% chance of not developing atrial fibrillation. Even in the low-fitness group, the likelihood was around 97%.
Dr. Shih-Hsien Sung, the study’s author, said, “The findings indicate that keeping fit may help prevent atrial fibrillation and stroke.”
So, the takeaway is clear: maintaining a decent level of physical fitness can significantly lower your risks of developing heart problems and having a stroke.
This research adds to the growing body of evidence that a proactive approach, like staying fit, can make a big difference in your health.
It gives people a simple, practical way to protect themselves from serious medical conditions.
So next time you think about skipping that walk or workout, remember—it’s not just your muscles you’re building; you’re also giving your heart a fighting chance.
If you care about heart failure, please read studies about a big cause of heart failure, and Aspirin is linked to a higher risk of heart failure.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies that exercise in middle age reversed worrisome heart failure, and results showing this drug combo can cut the risk of stroke and heart attack by half.
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