After ablation, exercise may lower atrial fibrillation recurrence
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- Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Despite advances in ablation - a procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation (afib) - this common heart rhythm disorder sometimes recurs. A new study suggests that getting regular exercise can reduce the odds of an afib recurrence following ablation.
Researchers interviewed 163 people about their exercise habits at least three months after having an ablation. Their average age was 69, and 60% were men. All were checked for afib recurrence for up to two years.
After adjusting for age, medications, and other factors that might influence the results, the researchers saw a clear benefit among people who were more active. People who did at least 90 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking or cycling, were about half as likely to have an afib recurrence as those who exercised less than 90 minutes per week. Even as little as 15 minutes of activity on most days of the week was associated with a lower afib recurrence. The study was published Feb. 2, 2026, in the Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology.
Image: © Oleg Breslavtsev/Getty Images
About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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