Abstract MP42: Physical Activity And Clinical Outcomes Among Older Adults With Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background: Current guidelines encourage adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) to engage in regular physical activity. However, little is known about the association between meeting the recommended level of regular physical activity and clinical outcomes among older adults with AF. Objective: To examine the association between meeting the recommended level of physical activity and clinical outcomes including mortality, stroke, and major bleeding. Methods: We used data collected from the Systemic Assessment of Geriatrics Elements (SAGE)-AF study which include patients with AF (≥65 years) and a CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score ≥2. Participants were recruited from several clinics in Massachusetts and Georgia. We used the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire to examine if participants met the recommended level of physical activity (i.e. at least 500 metabolic equivalent task (MET)-minutes per week). A multivariable cox regression model was used to examine the association between meeting the recommended level of physical activity and our clinical outcomes while controlling for several potentially confounding variables. Results: A total of 1,244 participants (average age 75 years; 49% male; 85 % non-Hispanic White) were included in this study. Nearly one-half of participants engaged in regular physical activity. Meeting the recommended level of physical activity was associated with improved survival (adjusted HR (aHR) = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.38-0.96). However, engaging in regular physical activity was not significantly associated with reduced risk of stroke or major bleeding ( aHR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.51-3.69; aHR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.56-1.33, respectively ), although we may have lacked power for these associations, therefore, these results should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions: Meeting the recommended level of physical activity among older adults with AF significantly reduces the risk of mortality. Clinicians and health care providers should promote and encourage engagement in physical activity and tailor interventions to address barriers of engagement to improve patient survival.