A new randomized controlled trial has shown that a 6-month program of supervised and unsupervised moderate exercise can significantly benefit patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).  

In 120 AF patients enrolled in the ACTIVE-AF trial, patients in the exercise arm were noted to have significantly less frequent AF recurrence and less severe symptoms over a 1-year period. Patients in the treatment group were subjected to individualized guided exercise once a week for 3 months, followed by every second week for the next 3 months besides a physical activity plan to be followed at home for the other days, with the aim to have up to 3.5 hours of physical activity per week. Patients in the usual care group were given exercise advice but no active intervention. At 1 year, the rate of AF recurrence was significantly lower in the exercise group, at 60%, compared to 80% in the control group. The findings will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2021… (Medscape)