Association between exercise habits and stroke, heart failure, and mortality in Korean patients with incident atrial fibrillation: A nationwide population-based cohort study

Effects of 1-year exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation: study protocol for the Norwegian Exercise in Atrial Fibrillation (NEXAF) randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent sustained arrhythmia worldwide and is expected to increase substantially within the coming years. Although lifestyle changes and risk factor modification are now acknowledged as central components of atrial fibrillation management, the effects of exercise on disease-specific outcomes are still not extensively documented due to few high-quality randomised trials. The primary objective of the Norwegian Exercise in Atrial Fibrillation Trial (NEXAF) is to assess the effects of exercise over 12 months on key clinical and patient-reported outcomes in previously inactive patients with atrial fibrillation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

NEXAF is a multicentre, two-arm, randomised controlled trial inviting patients 18-80 years with a confirmed diagnosis of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. Eligible patients are randomised 1:1 to either a combined supervised and eHealth-based exercise intervention or usual care for 12 months. The primary outcomes are total time in atrial fibrillation measured by insertable cardiac monitors, and disease-specific quality of life measured by the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life questionnaire.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained from the Regional Ethics Committee in Mid-Norway in April 2021 (ID 213848).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05164718.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for patients with atrial fibrillation: a narrative review

The role of physical activity (i.e. any bodily movement that requires energy expenditure) and exercise (i.e. planned, structured, and repetitive physical activity to improve/maintain fitness) in the primary and secondary prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly recognized. Physical activity has been associated with lower risks to develop AF and associated complications (e.g. stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infarction). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ExCR) is increasingly examined in the treatment of AF and sometimes combined with rhythm control strategies (e.g. catheter ablation). Nonetheless, several important clinical, practical, and mechanistic questions remain not fully understood. This state-of-the-art review first provides a contemporary update on the evidence base for the clinical effects of ExCR in AF. Despite the ongoing need for high-quality studies, existing randomized controlled trials and cohort studies suggest ExCR reduces AF burden, lowers risks for major adverse cardiovascular events, and improves health-related quality of life. Second, to facilitate implementation of ExCR, we have observed comparable effects of distinct exercise protocols (e.g. type of training and centre-/home-based) and discussed similarity of effectiveness across patient characteristics (e.g. age, sex, and AF subtype). Critically, we have discussed potential barriers that may prohibit the uptake of ExCR for patients with AF, categorized at clinician- (e.g. referral and training), patient- (e.g. motivation, transportation, and psychosocial factors), and system-levels (e.g. insurance and resources). Third, we have summarized the potential mechanisms underlying these effects of ExCR, classified by their potential role in reducing AF burden (e.g. atrial/ventricular function, autonomic balance, and inflammation) and lowering risks for adverse events (e.g. modifiable risk factors, vascular function, and thrombogenesis). Based on the increasing evidence for clinical benefits, e.g. improved health-related quality of life and better clinical outcomes, we advocate stronger focus on regular physical activity and referral to multidisciplinary ExCR for sustainable lifestyle changes within the ESC AF-CARE pathway for the prevention and treatment of AF.

Impact of physical activity on all-cause mortality in individuals with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Background

Little information is available regarding whether active physical activity lowers mortality risk in individuals with bronchiectasis.

Methods

We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database from 2010 to 2016 to evaluate the association between changes in physical activity and mortality risk in individuals with bronchiectasis. Of 552,510 individuals with newly diagnosed bronchiectasis, we enrolled 165,842 individuals who had two consecutive health examinations before and after bronchiectasis diagnosis, within two years, as the study aimed to measure changes in exercise habits between the two time points. Active physical activity was defined as engaging in moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity at least once a week, either before or after bronchiectasis diagnosis. The outcome measure was all-cause mortality.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 6.2 ± 2.1 years, 10,535 (6.4%) individuals with bronchiectasis died. Individuals with bronchiectasis who were physically active exhibited a lower mortality rate than those who were physically inactive. Mortality reduction was particularly evident in the exercise maintainers group (aHR [adjusted hazard ratio] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.64-0.74) and individuals with physical activity ≥1,000 metabolic equivalent of task-min per week (aHR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.70-0.77) compared to those who were physically inactive.

Conclusion

Engaging in active physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of mortality in individuals with bronchiectasis.

2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2025 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2024 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. This year's edition includes a continued focus on health equity across several key domains and enhanced global data that reflect improved methods and incorporation of ≈3000 new data sources since last year's Statistical Update.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Frailty may be a new predictive factor of recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation in elderly atrial fibrillation patients

BACKGROUND

Frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes require in-depth, multidimensional investigation. We aim to explore the association between frailty and factors such as hospital stay, quality of life, and recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in elderly patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 195 hospitalized elderly AF patients. The FRAIL scale was used to assess frailty, while the EQ-5D-5L scale evaluated the quality of life. Recurrence status was tracked over a 6-month follow-up period. Survival analysis, linear regression, and logistic regression were employed for data analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of frailty among participants was 24.1%. Our findings indicate that frailty is associated with higher recurrence rates after RFCA (p=0.028, OR=2.43), longer hospitalization stay(p=0.034, OR=2.21), and poorer quality of life (p=0.001, β'=-0.287).

CONCLUSION

Early screening and intervention for frail elderly AF patients should be prioritized to enhance their prognosis and quality of life.

Big Data Research for Diabetes-Related Diseases Using the Korean National Health Information Database

The Korean National Health Information Database (NHID), which contains nationwide real-world claims data including sociodemographic data, health care utilization data, health screening data, and healthcare provider information, is a powerful resource to test various hypotheses. It is also longitudinal in nature due to the recommended health checkup every 2 years and is appropriate for long-term follow-up study as well as evaluating the relationships between health outcomes and changes in parameters such as lifestyle factors, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory results. However, because these data are not collected for research purposes, precise operational definitions of diseases are required to facilitate big data analysis using the Korean NHID. In this review, we describe the characteristics of the Korean NHID, operational definitions of diseases used for research related to diabetes, and introduce representative research for diabetes-related diseases using the Korean NHID.

Association of regular health check-ups with a reduction in mortality in 625,279 elderly participants with hypertension: A population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Health check-ups constitute an essential part of China's primary health care policy and a key measure for health screening and risk assessment for elderly people with hypertension and chronic diseases. The role of health check-ups in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health check-ups and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in elderly individuals with hypertension.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

This study included 625,279 elderly participants with hypertension. Associations of regular and irregular health check-ups with cardiovascular disease related (CVD-related) mortality, all-cause mortality and non-CVD-related mortality were tested via the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) matching and Cox proportional hazard models. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 625,279 participants completed health assessments. During a median follow-up of 5.43 years, 45,927 CVD-related deaths and 25,519 non-CVD-related deaths were recorded. After IPTW, regular health check-ups were significantly associated with reduced CVD-related mortality and all-cause mortality (HR: 0.442, 95 % CI: 0.434-0.450; and HR: 0.441, 95 % CI: 0.435-0.448, respectively). An even stronger association between regular health check-ups and reduced CVD-related mortality was observed in participants with diabetes (HR: 0.40, 95 % CI: 0.39-0.42, P for interaction <0.001), dyslipidaemia (HR: 0.43, 95 % CI: 0.42-0.44, P for interaction <0.001) and a high risk or very high risk of hypertension (HR: 0.41, 95 % CI: 0.40-0.42, P for interaction <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Regular health check-ups may be associated with reductions in CVD mortality and all-cause mortality in the elderly population with hypertension, especially in individuals with diabetes, dyslipidaemia and a high risk or very high risk of hypertension.

Changes in physical activity and all-cause mortality among individuals with dementia: a cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service Database in Korea

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between the amount and changes in regular physical activity (PA) before and after diagnosis of dementia and all-cause mortality risk, and whether these associations differ by PA intensity (light, moderate or vigorous).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database, including 60 252 individuals newly diagnosed with dementia between 2010 and 2016 who underwent health examinations both before and after diagnosis. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyse the associations between PA (amount and changes) and all-cause mortality risk.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, 16 431 (27.3%) deaths occurred. Higher PA levels after dementia diagnosis were associated with a dose-dependent decrease in mortality risk (p for trend <0.001). Maintaining regular PA, compared with remaining inactive, was associated with the lowest mortality risk (HR=0.71, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.79). Sustained engagement in PA of any intensity was associated with decreased mortality risk: light (HR=0.70, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.75), moderate (HR=0.74, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.86) and vigorous PA (HR=0.70, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.79). Initiating any PA intensity after dementia diagnosis was associated with at least 20% reduced mortality risk. These associations were consistent in Alzheimer's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintaining or initiating regular PA, regardless of intensity, after dementia diagnosis was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Lifestyle modifications promoting PA might offer survival benefits for individuals with dementia.

Effects of different exercise methods and intensities on the incidence and prognosis of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice, exhibits a higher risk of cardiovascular adverse events. Exercise plays a crucial role in AF prevention, but the effects of different exercise types and doses are inconclusive. This review aims to comprehensively explore the most recent evidence and possible mechanisms of diverse exercise modalities concerning AF incidence and therapeutic outcomes. Multiple studies underscore the efficacy of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in reducing AF incidence and symptom burden, rendering it the currently favored exercise therapy for AF patients. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) shows promise, potentially surpassing MICT, especially in reducing age-related AF susceptibility and improving symptoms and exercise capacity. Conversely, prolonged high-intensity endurance exercise exacerbates AF risk due to excessive exercise volume, with potential mechanisms encompassing irreversible atrial remodeling, heightened inflammation, and increased vagal tone. In summation, MICT is a secure strategy for populations in mitigating the risk associated with AF incidence and secondary cardiovascular events and should be encouraged. Also, it is recommended to initiate large-scale clinical intervention trials encompassing a variety of exercise types to delineate the optimal exercise prescription for cardiovascular patients, including those afflicted with AF.

Coexistence of Non-Lower Body Mass Index and Exercise Habits Reduce Readmission in Older Patients With Heart Failure

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) and exercise habits on readmission rates among older patients with heart failure.

METHODS

Ninety-seven older patients admitted for heart failure (median age: 81 years; 57.7% male) were included in the study. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the presence or absence of lower BMI and/or the absence of exercise habits. Lower BMI was defined as BMI<20.3 kg/m2 at discharge and exercise habits were defined as engaging in 30 or more minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise at least once a week. The primary outcome was all-cause readmission during the 1-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

The patients were distributed across four groups: lower BMI/non-exerciser (n=24, 24.7%), lower BMI/exerciser (n=22, 22.7%), non-lower BMI/non-exerciser (n=21, 21.6%), and non-lower BMI/exerciser (n=30, 30.9%). Forty-six patients (47.4%) experienced readmission during the 1-year follow-up period. In a cox proportional hazard analysis, non-lower BMI/exerciser remained an independent prognostic factor even after adjusting for confounding factors (non-lower BMI/exerciser vs. lower BMI/non-exerciser: hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.83; p=0.022).

CONCLUSION

The coexistence of non-lower BMI and regular exercise habits may reduce readmission during the 1-year in older patients with heart failure. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct appropriate nutritional assessments for patients with lower BMI at discharge. Additionally, promoting and monitoring sustained physical activity after discharge is crucial for older patients with heart failure.

Association between weight loss and cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in Korea: A nationwide cohort study

AIMS

While the benefit of weight loss in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is recognized, its association with CVD mortality remains controversial. This study investigates the association between weight loss and the incidence of CVD outcomes.

METHODS

This was a 7.2-year retrospective cohort study of 1,020,533 adults aged 40-80 years who underwent at least two general health checkups within a 2-year interval in Korea. Weight was measured by trained examiners at certified hospitals. We used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the association between weight loss and the incidence of CVD outcomes.

RESULTS

Weight loss of more than 3 % was associated with an increased risk of combined CVD events (hazard ratio [HR] for moderate weight loss: 1.24, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-1.28; HR for severe weight loss: 1.45, 95 % CI: 1.33-1.57). Weight loss was significantly associated with an increased risk of both nonfatal CVD events and CVD mortality, but regular exercise mitigated the adverse effects on CVD mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight loss of more than 3% is associated with an increased risk of a combined CVD events, consistent across most risk factors. However, regular exercise may reduce the adverse effects on CVD mortality, suggesting a potential protective role of physical activity.

Racial and Gender Differences in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Atrial Fibrillation

The expanding field of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in individuals with and without atrial fibrillation (AF) presents a complex landscape, demanding careful interpretation of the existing research. AF, characterized by significant mortality and morbidity, prompts the exploration of strategies to mitigate its impact. Increasing physical activity (PA) levels emerges as a promising avenue to address AF risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, through mechanisms of reduced vasoconstriction, endothelin-1 modulation, and improved insulin sensitivity. However, caution is warranted, as recent investigations suggest a heightened incidence of AF, particularly in athletes engaged in high-intensity exercise, due to the formation of ectopic foci and changes in cardiac anatomy. Accordingly, patients should adhere to guideline-recommended amounts of low-to-moderate PA to balance benefits and minimize adverse effects. When looking closer at the current evidence, gender-specific differences have been observed and challenged conventional understanding, with women demonstrating decreased AF risk even at extreme exercise levels. This phenomenon may be rooted in divergent hemodynamic and structural responses to exercise between men and women. Existing research is predominantly observational and limited to racially homogenous populations, which underscores the need for comprehensive studies encompassing diverse, non-White ethnic groups in athlete and non-athlete populations. These individuals exhibit a disproportionately high burden of AF risk factors that could be addressed through improved CRF. Despite the limitations, randomized control trials offer promising evidence for the efficacy of CRF interventions in patients with preexisting AF, showcasing improvements in clinically significant AF outcomes and patient quality of life. The potential of CRF as a countermeasure to the consequences of AF remains an area of great promise, urging future research to delve deeper to explore its role within specific racial and gender contexts. This comprehensive understanding will contribute to the development of tailored strategies for optimizing cardiovascular health and AF prevention in all those who are affected.

Association between exercise habits and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with thyroid cancer: nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

We investigated the association between exercise habits before or after thyroidectomy and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with thyroid cancer.

METHODS

An observational cohort study of 69,526 thyroid cancer patients who underwent thyroidectomy for the treatment of thyroid cancer between 2010 and 2016 was performed using the Korean National Health Information Database. Regular exercise was defined as mid-term or vigorous exercise at least 1 day in a week based on a self-reported questionnaire. Patients were divided into four groups according to exercise habits before and after thyroidectomy: persistent non-exercisers, new exercisers, exercise dropouts, and exercise maintainers.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 2,720 (3.91%) patients developed T2DM. The incidence of T2DM per 1,000 person years was lower in patients who performed regular exercise before or after thyroidectomy than in persistent non-exercisers (10.77 in persistent non-exerciser group, 8.28 in new exerciser group, 8.59 in exercise dropout group, and 7.61 in exercise maintainer group). Compared with the persistent non-exerciser group, the new exerciser group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.97), the exercise dropout group (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72-0.91), and the exercise maintainer group (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76-0.93) had lower risks of incident T2DM. Exercising < 1,500 MET-minutes/week in the exercise maintainer group was associated with a lower risk of incident T2DM compared with persistent non-exercisers (< 500: HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67-0.96, P = 0.002; 500 to < 1,000: HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71-0.93, P < 0.001; 1,000 to < 1,500: HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.94, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Regular exercise before or after thyroidectomy was associated with a lower risk of incident T2DM in patients with thyroid cancer.

Clinical Impact of Early Rhythm Control and Healthy Lifestyles in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

There are limited data regarding the combined effect of early rhythm control (ERC) and healthy lifestyle (HLS) behaviors on the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate how the combination of ERC and HLS behaviors affects the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AF.

METHODS

Using the Korean National Health Insurance database, we included patients with new-onset AF between 2009 and 2016 (n = 208,662). Patients who received rhythm control therapy within 2 years after AF diagnosis were defined as the ERC group. Patients with ≥2 HLS behaviors were defined as the HLS group. Patients were categorized into 4 groups: group 1, without ERC and without HLS (n = 46,972); group 2, with HLS alone (n = 110,479); group 3, with ERC alone (n = 15,133); and group 4, with both ERC and HLS (n = 36,078). The primary outcome was ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

Compared to group 1, group 2 and group 3 were associated with a lower risk of stroke (HR: 0.769 [95% CI: 0.728-0.881] and HR: 0.774 [95% CI: 0.703-0.852], respectively). Group 4 showed the lowest risk of stroke (HR: 0.575; 95% CI: 0.536-0.617). After propensity score weighting, the incorporation of additional ERC alongside HLS was associated with a relative risk reduction of 22% for stroke, and additional HLS alongside ERC were associated with a relative risk reduction of 27% for stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Each of ERC and HLS might reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with new-onset AF. The presence of both ERC and HLS is associated with an enhanced benefit for stroke prevention in this population.

Physical Activity and the incidence of sepsis: A 10-year observational study among 4 million adults

BACKGROUND

As the group at high risk for sepsis is increasing with the aging of the population, physical activity (PA), which has beneficial effects on various diseases, needs to be considered as a personalized prevention strategy for sepsis without direct anti-sepsis drug.

PURPOSE

To examine the association between the amount of PA (based on intensity, duration, and frequency) and the incidence rates of sepsis and mortality after sepsis.

METHODS

This was a large-scale, retrospective, longitudinal cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service and the biennial general health screening program. The amount of PA self-reported at the time of the health screening was categorized as non-PA, mild (<500 metabolic equivalents [METs]-Min/Week), moderate (500-1000), severe (1000-1500), and extreme (≥1500). The multivariable regression model was adjusted for age, sex, income, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic diseases.

RESULTS

From 4,234,415 individuals who underwent a health screening in 2009, 3,929,165 subjects were selected after exclusion for wash-out period and a 1-year lag period, and then observed for the event of sepsis or all-cause death until December 2020. During a median 10.3 years of follow-up, 83,011 incidents of sepsis were detected. The moderate-PA group showed the lowest incidence (1.56/1000 person-years) and risk for sepsis, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.72-0.75, P < 0.001) compared with the non-PA group. The occurrence of sepsis among people aged ≥65 years and ex-smokers were significantly lower in the moderate-PA group (aHR; 0.77, 95% CI; 0.74-0.79; and 0.68, 0.64-0.71, respectively, Ps < 0.001). The long-term all-cause mortality after sepsis was significantly lower in the PA group than in the non-PA group (overall P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of sepsis, especially in elderly people who have the highest incidence of sepsis. The protective effects of aerobic PA on sepsis might need to be incorporated with other interventions in sepsis guidelines through the accumulation of future studies.

Association between physical activity changes and incident myocardial infarction after ischemic stroke: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

The impact of changes in physical activity after ischemic stroke (IS) on the subsequent myocardial infarction (MI) risk is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the effects of changes in physical activity on the risk of MI after acute IS using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Services Database.

METHODS

224,764 patients newly diagnosed with IS between 2010 and 2016 who underwent two serial biannual health checkups were included. The participants were divided into four categories according to changes in their physical activity: persistent non-exercisers, new exercisers, exercise dropouts, and exercise maintainers. The primary outcome was a new diagnosis of incident MI. Multivariable Cox proportional models were used to assess the effects of changes in exercise habits on the risk of MI.

RESULTS

After a median of 4.25 years of follow-up, 6,611 (2.94%) MI cases were observed. After adjusting for confounders, new exercisers and exercise maintainers were significantly associated with a lower risk of incident MI than persistent non-exercisers (aHR, 0.849; 95% CI, 0.792-0.911; P-value < 0.001; and aHR, 0.746; 95% CI, 0.696-0.801; P-value < 0.001, respectively). Effects were consistent across sexes, more pronounced in those > 65 years. Notably, any level of physical activity after stroke was associated with a reduced MI risk compared to no exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

In this nationwide cohort study, commencing or sustaining physical activity after an IS corresponded to a diminished likelihood of subsequent MI development. Advocating physical activity in ambulatory stroke survivors could potentially attenuate the prospective risk of MI.

Accelerometer-derived physical activity and the risk of death, heart failure, and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: a prospective study from UK Biobank

OBJECTIVE

Data on cardiovascular outcomes according to objectively measured physical activity (PA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are scarce. This study explored the associations between PA derived from wrist-worn accelerometers and the risk of death, incident heart failure (HF), and incident stroke in patients with AF.

METHODS

From 37 990 patients with AF in UK Biobank, 2324 patients with accelerometer data were included. Weekly moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) duration was computed from accelerometer data. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular mortality, incident HF, and incident stroke. Restricted cubic splines estimated the dose-response associations between MVPA duration and the outcomes. The adjusted HRs (aHRs) of the outcomes according to adherence to PA standard guidelines (performing MVPA≥150 min/week) were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age was 66.9±6.2 years and 64.9% were male. During a median follow-up of 6.7 years, there were 181 all-cause deaths, 62 cardiovascular deaths, 225 cases of incident HF, and 91 cases of incident stroke; the overall incidence rate per 1000 patient-years was 11.76, 4.03, 15.16 and 5.99, respectively. There was a linear inverse dose-response relationship between MVPA (≥108 min/week) and all-cause mortality. Performing MVPA for 105-590 min/week was associated with a lower risk of HF than those with no measurable MVPA. The risk of stroke and cardiovascular mortality was not associated with MVPA. Performing guideline-adherent MVPA was related to a 30% lower risk of all-cause mortality (aHR: 0.70 (0.50-0.98), p=0.04) and 33% lower risk of HF (aHR 0.67 (0.49-0.93), p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

In patients with AF, accelerometer-derived PA data supports lower risks of all-cause mortality and HF according to a greater level of MVPA and adherence to PA guidelines. Regular MVPA should be encouraged in patients with AF as a part of integrated management.

Effect of physical activity on incident atrial fibrillation in individuals with varying duration of diabetes: a nationwide population study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) duration affects incident atrial fibrillation (AF) risk; the effect of physical activity on mitigating AF risk related to varying DM duration remains unknown. We assessed the effect of physical activity on incident AF in patients with DM with respect to known DM duration.

METHODS

Patients with type 2 DM who underwent the Korean National Health Insurance Service health examination in 2015-2016 were grouped by DM duration: new onset and < 5, 5-9, and ≥ 10 years. Physical activity was classified into four levels: 0, < 500, 500-999, 1,000-1,499, and ≥ 1,500 metabolic equivalent task (MET)-min/week, with the primary outcome being new-onset AF.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 2,392,486 patients (aged 59.3 ± 12.0 years, 39.8% female) with an average follow-up of 3.9 ± 0.8 years and mean DM duration of 5.3 ± 5.1 years. Greater physical activity was associated with a lower AF risk. Lowering of incident AF risk varied with different amounts of physical activity in relation to known DM duration. Among patients with new-onset DM, DM duration < 5 years and 5-9 years and 1,000-1,499 MET-min/week exhibited the lowest AF risk. Physical activity ≥ 1,500 MET-min/week was associated with the lowest incident AF risk in patients with DM duration ≥ 10 years (by 15%), followed DM duration of 5-9 years (12%) and < 5 years (9%) (p-for-interaction = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Longer DM duration was associated with a high risk of incident AF, while increased physical activity generally reduced AF risk. Engaging in > 1,500 MET-min/week was associated with the greatest AF risk reduction in patients with longer DM duration, highlighting the potential benefits of higher activity levels for AF prevention.

2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2024 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2023 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. The AHA strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional global data, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Combination of early rhythm control and healthy lifestyle on the risk of stroke in elderly patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Background

The impact of early rhythm control (ERC) combined with healthy lifestyle (HLS) on the risk of ischemic stroke in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unaddressed.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of combined ERC and HLS on the risk of stroke in elderly patients with new-onset AF.

Methods

Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we included patients aged ≥75 years with new-onset AF from January 2009 to December 2016 (n = 41,315). Patients who received rhythm control therapy within 2 years of AF diagnosis were defined as the ERC group. Non-smoking, non-to-mild alcohol consumption (<105 g/week), and regular exercise were defined as HLS. Subjects were categorized into four groups: group 1 (without ERC and HLS, n = 25,093), 2 (HLS alone, n = 8,351), 3 (ERC alone, n = 5,565), and 4 (both ERC and HLS, n = 2,306). We assessed the incidence of ischemic stroke as the primary outcome, along with admissions for heart failure, all-cause death, and the composite of ischemic stroke, admission for heart failure, and all-cause death.

Results

Median follow-up duration of the study cohort was 3.4 years. After adjusting for multiple variables, groups 2 and 3 were associated with a lower stroke risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.867, 0.794-0.948 and 0.713, 0.637-0.798, respectively) than that of group 1. Compared to Group 1, group 4 showed the lowest stroke risk (aHR: 0.694, 95% CI: 0.586-0.822) among all groups, followed by group 3 (0.713, 0.637-0.798) and group 2 (0.857, 0.794-0.948), respectively. Group 4 was associated with the lowest risk of all-cause death (aHR: 0.680, 95% CI: 0.613-0.754) and the composite outcome (aHR: 0.708, 95% CI: 0.649-0.772).

Conclusion

ERC and HLS were associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke in elderly patients with new-onset AF. Concurrently implementing ERC and maintaining HLS was associated with the lowest risk of death and the composite outcome, with a modest synergistic effect on stroke prevention.

Atrial fibrillation: comorbidities, lifestyle, and patient factors

Modern anticoagulation therapy has dramatically reduced the risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AF still impairs quality of life, increases the risk of stroke and heart failure, and is linked to cognitive impairment. There is also a recognition of the residual risk of thromboembolic complications despite anticoagulation. Hence, AF management is evolving towards a more comprehensive understanding of risk factors predisposing to the development of this arrhythmia, its' complications and interventions to mitigate the risk. This review summarises the recent advances in understanding of risk factors for incident AF and managing these risk factors. It includes a discussion of lifestyle, somatic, psychological, and socioeconomic risk factors. The available data call for a practice shift towards a more individualised approach considering an increasingly broader range of health and patient factors contributing to AF-related health burden. The review highlights the needs of people living with co-morbidities (especially with multimorbidity), polypharmacy and the role of the changing population demographics affecting the European region and globally.

2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 12, 2022, to November 3, 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through November 2022, during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables, where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Atrial fibrillation is the most sustained common arrhythmia, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the United States and globally. Recommendations from the "2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" and the "2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk assessment, anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial fibrillation catheter or surgical ablation, and risk factor modification and atrial fibrillation prevention have been developed.

2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 12, 2022, to November 3, 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through November 2022, during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables, where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Atrial fibrillation is the most sustained common arrhythmia, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the United States and globally. Recommendations from the "2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" and the "2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk assessment, anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial fibrillation catheter or surgical ablation, and risk factor modification and atrial fibrillation prevention have been developed.

Impact of Unhealthy Lifestyles on Patients with Atrial Fibrillation at Low Risk of Stroke: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The impact of unhealthy lifestyles on clinical outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are at low risk of stroke remains uncertain. The study objective was to evaluate the association between unhealthy lifestyles and clinical outcomes among low-risk AF patients with 0-1 non-sex risk factor of the CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes mellitus, prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack [TIA], Vascular disease, Age 65-74 years, female Sex;) score.

METHODS

A total of 52,451 low-risk AF patients (mean age 51.6 ± 10.4 years) were evaluated with the National Health Insurance Service of the Republic of Korea database between 2009 and 2016. Using the survey on health habits, an unhealthy lifestyle score (ULS) was calculated by adding one point each if a respondent had a sedentary lifestyle, drinking, or smoking. The primary outcome was the composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, heart failure, and all-cause death. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the risk of the study outcome according to the ULS.

RESULTS

There was a total of 12,792 (24.4%), 24,785 (47.3%), 11,602 (22.1%), and 3272 (6.2%) low-risk AF patients with 0 to 3 points of the ULS, respectively. The median follow-up period was 4.1 (2.1-6.1) years. Compared with the healthiest-lifestyle group (ULS 0), the other groups were associated with significantly higher risks of the primary outcome, with a gradually increasing trend according to the ULS (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] =1.17 [1.05-1.31], 1.37 [1.21-1.56], 1.82 [1.53-2.17], for the groups with ULS 1, 2, and 3, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Unhealthy lifestyles, including a sedentary lifestyle, drinking, and smoking, may synergistically impact poor clinical outcomes in AF patients who are deemed to be at low risk of stroke.

Changes in physical activity and the risk of heart failure in newly diagnosed patients with depression: A nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Depression is known to increase the risk of heart failure (HF), and physical activity could be a potential mediator of their linkage. In this study, we examined the risk of incident HF according to changes in the level of physical activity before and after the diagnosis of depression.

METHODS

A South Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service database was used. A total of 1,405,655 patients with newly diagnosed depression were included in the analyses. According to the changes in physical activity based on the recommended level of regular physical activity, participants were divided into four groups: never, beginning, maintenance, and discontinuation. The main outcome was the occurrence of HF.

RESULTS

During the average follow-up period of 5.28 years (SD, 2.00 years), 69,338 participants were diagnosed with HF, with an incidence rate of 9.34 per 1000 person-years. Compared to the never group, the beginning group showed a decreased risk of HF (aHR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.86-0.90). Compared to the maintenance group, the discontinuation group showed an increased risk of HF (aHR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.11-1.20).

CONCLUSIONS

In the patients with depression, beginning regular physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of HF, and discontinuing regular physical activity was associated with an increased risk.

Association between exercise habit changes and incident dementia after ischemic stroke

We aimed to investigate the effects of exercise habit changes on the risk of incident dementia after ischemic stroke using the Korean National Health Insurance Services Database. This study included 223,426 patients with a new diagnosis of ischemic stroke between 2010 and 2016 who underwent two serial ambulatory health checkups. The participants were divided into four categories according to their habit change or regular exercise: persistent non-exercisers, new exercisers, exercise dropouts, and exercise maintainers. The primary outcome was new diagnosis of dementia. Multivariate Cox proportional models were used to assess the effects of changes in exercise habits on the risk of incident dementia. After a median of 4.02 years of follow-up, 22,554 (10.09%) dementia cases were observed. After adjusting for covariates, exercise dropouts, new exercisers, and exercise maintainers were significantly associated with a lower risk of incident dementia than persistent non-exercisers (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.937; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.905-0.970, aHR 0.876; 95% CI 0.843-0.909, aHR 0.705; 95% CI 0.677-0.734, respectively). The impact of changes in exercise habit was more prominent in the 40-65 years age group. An energy expenditure ≥ 1000 metabolic equivalents of task-min/wk post-stroke, regardless of pre-stroke physical activity status, was mostly associated with a lower risk of each outcome. In this retrospective cohort study, initiating or continuing moderate-to-vigorous exercise after ischemic stroke was associated with a lower risk of dementia development. Further, pre-stroke regular physical activity also reduced the risk of incident dementia. The promotion of exercise in ambulatory stroke patients may reduce their future risk of incident dementia.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Physical Activity Changes and the Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Longitudinal Follow-up Cohort Study of 1.8 Million Subjects

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association between alterations in regular physical activity (PA) and the risk of developing AF in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the optimal PA range based on energy expenditure.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a nationwide database, subjects who underwent health examinations twice at a 2-year interval between 2009 and 2012 were studied. After 1,815,330 patients with T2DM who did not have a history of AF were identified, they were followed until 2018. Regular PA alterations over time were used to divide individuals into four groups: persistent nonexercisers (n = 1,181,837), new exercisers (n = 242,968), exercise dropouts (n = 225,124), and exercise maintainers (n = 165,401).

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up period of 5.6 ± 1.3 years, 46,589 cases (2.6%) of new-onset AF occurred. Compared with the persistent nonexerciser group, both the exercise dropout group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99) and new exerciser group (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93-0.98) had lower risks of incident AF. The exercise maintainer group showed the lowest risk (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.89-0.94). When we stratified patients with T2DM according to energy expenditure, undergoing regular PA with ≥1,500 MET-min/week in new exercisers and ≥1,000 MET-min/week in exercise maintainers was associated with lower risks of incident AF than nonexercisers.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with T2DM, starting and maintaining regular PA were both associated with lower risk of incident AF. Optimal PA ranges based on energy expenditure, which were associated with lower risks of incident AF, can be defined.

Cumulative Alcohol Consumption Burden and the Risk of Stroke in Young Adults: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Alcohol consumption is one of the important modifiable risk factors for stroke in young adults. The association between the cumulative burden of alcohol consumption and its impact on incident stroke in young adults is unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between cumulative alcohol burden and the risk for stroke among young adults.

METHODS

Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, patients age between 20 and 39 years, who underwent 4 consecutive annual health examinations between 2009 and 2012, were included. The cumulative alcohol burden score of moderate-to-heavy drinking was evaluated by assigning a score of 1 for alcohol consumption ≥105 g/wk at the health examination each year and calculating the sum of 4 years (0-4). The main outcome was incident stroke and its subtypes, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Of 1 536 668 patients (mean age of 29.5 years, 71.5% male, and median follow-up of 6-year), 3 153 experienced an incident stroke (incidence rate, 0.37 per 1,000 person-years). After multivariable adjustment, patients with alcohol burden scores of 2, 3, and 4, who consumed more than 105 g/wk of alcohol for 2, 3, and 4 years, demonstrated significantly higher risks for stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.34 for 2; HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09-1.38 for 3; HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.38 for 4) compared with those with a burden score of 0. This positive dose-response relationship was primarily driven by hemorrhagic rather than ischemic stroke. High alcohol burden scores (i.e., 2, 3, and 4) were significantly associated with higher risks for hemorrhagic stroke (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.10-1.54 for 2; HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.21-1.67 for 3; HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.16-1.59 for 4) compared with a burden score of 0.

DISCUSSION

Young adults who engaged in moderate-to-heavy drinking demonstrated a higher risk for incident stroke, especially hemorrhagic stroke. Reducing alcohol consumption should be emphasized in young adults with heavy drinking habits as part of any stroke prevention strategy.

Association between exercise habit changes and mortality following a cardiovascular event

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations between exercise habit changes following an incident cardiovascular event and mortality in older adults.

METHODS

We analysed the relationship between exercise habit change and all-cause, cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular deaths in adults aged ≥60 years between 2003 and 2012 who underwent two consecutive health examinations within 2 years before and after diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). They were categorised into four groups according to exercise habit changes: persistent non-exercisers, exercise dropouts, new exercisers and exercise maintainers. Differences in baseline characteristics were adjusted using inverse probability of treatment weighting.

RESULTS

Of 6076 participants, the median age was 72 (IQR 69-76) years and men accounted for 50.6%. Compared with persistent non-exercisers (incidence rate (IR) 4.8 per 100 person-years), new exercisers (IR 3.5, HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.91) and exercise maintainers (IR 2.9, HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.73) were associated with reduced risk of all-cause death. The rate of non-cardiovascular death was significantly lower in new exercisers (IR 2.3, HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95) and exercise maintainers (IR 2.3, HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.90) than in persistent non-exercisers (IR 3.2). Also, trends towards reduced cardiovascular death in new exercisers and exercise maintainers were observed (p value for trend <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

More virtuous exercise trajectories in older adults with CVD are associated with lower mortality rates. Our results support public health recommendations for older adults with CVD to perform physical activity.

Association between exercise and risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

BACKGROUND

Although cardiovascular comorbidities negatively impact survival in patients with bronchiectasis, there is limited evidence to recommend exercise in this population. We aimed to evaluate whether exercise habit changes are related to reduced cardiovascular disease risk and explore an optimal exercise amount.

METHODS

This study identified 165,842 patients with newly diagnosed bronchiectasis during 2010-2016 who underwent two health examinations and were followed up until December 2020. The exposure was the change in weekly habits of moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity between the two examinations, classified into non-exercisers and exercisers (further classified into new exercisers, exercise dropouts, and exercise maintainers). The amount of exercise was measured using metabolic equivalents of task (MET). The outcome was the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke.

RESULTS

During a mean of 6.2 ± 2.1 follow-up years, 4,233 (2.6%) and 3,745 (2.3%) of patients with bronchiectasis had MI or stroke, respectively. Compared to non-exercisers, exercisers had a significantly lower risk of MI or stroke by 9-28% (p < 0.001 for both). Among exercisers, exercise maintainers showed the lowest risk of MI (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.81) and stroke (aHR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64-0.82) compared to non-exercisers. Regarding exercise amount, a significant risk reduction was observed only in patients with bronchiectasis who exercised for ≥ 500 MET-min/wk.

CONCLUSION

Exercise was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with bronchiectasis. In particular, the risk was lowest in exercise maintainers, and cardiovascular risk reduction was significant when exercising more than 500 MET-min/wk.

Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosed Before Age 50 Years According to Tumor Location

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The increasing prevalence of obesity at younger ages is concurrent with an increased earlier-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) (before age 50 years) incidence, particularly left-sided colon cancer. We investigated whether obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with increased earlier-onset CRC risk according to tumor location.

METHODS

Our nationwide population-based cohort study enrolled 9,774,081 individuals who underwent health checkups under the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2009 to 2010, with follow-up until 2019. We collected data on age, sex, lifestyle factors, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and laboratory findings. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 8320 earlier-onset and 57,257 later-onset CRC cases developed during follow-up. MetS was associated with increased earlier-onset CRC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.14-1.27), similar to later-onset CRC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.17-1.21). The adjusted hazard ratios for earlier-onset CRC with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 MetS components were 1.07 (95% CI, 1.01-1.13), 1.13 (95% CI, 1.06-1.21), 1.25 (95% CI, 1.16-1.35), 1.27 (95% CI, 1.15-1.41), and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.26-1.79), respectively (P for trend < .0001). We found that higher body mass index and larger waist circumference were significantly associated with increased earlier-onset CRC (P for trend < .0001). These dose-response associations were significant in distal colon and rectal cancers, although not in proximal colon cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

MetS and obesity are positively associated with CRC before age 50 years with a similar magnitude of association as people diagnosed after age 50 years. Thus, people younger than 50 years with MetS require effective preventive interventions to help reduce CRC risk.

Application of Inverse-Probability-of-Treatment Weighting to Estimate the Effect of Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Rationale: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the first line therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is considered effective in reducing daytime sleepiness. Its efficacy relies on adequate adherence, often defined as >4 hours per night. However, this binary threshold may limit our understanding of the causal effect of CPAP adherence and daytime sleepiness, and a multilevel approach for CPAP adherence can be more appropriate. Objectives: In this study, we show how two causal inference methods can be applied on observational data for the estimation of the effect of different ranges of CPAP adherence on daytime sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Methods: Data were collected from a large prospective observational French cohort for patients with OSA. Four groups of CPAP adherence were considered (0-4, 4-6, 6-7, and 7-10 h per night). Multivariable regression, inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting (IPTW), and inverse propensity weighting with regression adjustment (IPW-RA) were used to assess the impact of CPAP adherence level on daytime sleepiness. Results: In this study, 9,244 patients with OSA treated by CPAP were included. The mean initial ESS score was 11 (±5.2), with a mean reduction of 4 points (±5.1). Overall, there was evidence of the causal effect of CPAP adherence on daytime sleepiness which was mainly observed between the lower CPAP adherence group (0-4 h) compared with the higher CPAP adherence group (7-10 h). There are no differences by considering higher level of CPAP adherence (>4 h). Conclusions: We showed that IPTW and IPW-RA can be easily implemented to answer questions regarding causal effects using observational data when randomized trials cannot be conducted. Both methods give a direct causal interpretation at the population level and allow the assessment of the appropriate consideration of measured confounders.

Current Trends of Big Data Research Using the Korean National Health Information Database

Recently, medical research using big data has become very popular, and its value has become increasingly recognized. The Korean National Health Information Database (NHID) is representative of big data that combines information obtained from the National Health Insurance Service collected for claims and reimbursement of health care services and results obtained from general health examinations provided to all Korean adults. This database has several strengths and limitations. Given the large size, various laboratory data, and questionnaires obtained from medical check-ups, their longitudinal nature, and long-term accumulation of data since 2002, carefully designed studies may provide valuable information that is difficult to obtain from other forms of research. However, consideration of possible bias and careful interpretation when defining causal relationships is also important because the data were not collected for research purposes. After the NHID became publicly available, research and publications based on this database have increased explosively, especially in the field of diabetes and metabolism. This article reviews the history, structure, and characteristics of the Korean NHID. Recent trends in big data research using this database, commonly used operational diagnosis, and representative studies have been introduced. We expect further progress and expansion of big data research using the Korean NHID.

Effects of exercise initiation and smoking cessation after new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus on risk of mortality and cardiovascular outcomes

Lifestyle changes after a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) can affect vascular health outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of changes in smoking and exercise on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in patients with newly diagnosed DM. Data were analyzed for 181,591 people with newly diagnosed type 2 DM who underwent 2 serial health examinations within 2 years before and after DM diagnosis. The study population was followed from the baseline to the date of death or cardiovascular events, or until December 31, 2018 and median follow-up was 6.07 years. Based on the change in status from before to after the diagnosis, participants were grouped into smoking groups (continuous smokers, quitters, new smokers, and nonsmokers) and exercise groups (constant exercisers, new exercisers, exercise dropouts, and nonexercisers). Compared with the nonexercisers, those who initiated exercise after their DM diagnosis had a lower risk of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause mortality: the hazard ratio (HR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) was 0.85 (0.76–0.94) for MI, 0.86 (0.78–0.94) for stroke, and 0.84 (0.89–0.90) for all-cause mortality. Quitters had a higher risk of MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality than nonsmokers, but their risk level was much lower than that in continuous smokers. When the group of continuous smokers and nonexercisers was considered as the reference group, participants who quit smoking and remained nonexercisers had a 21% lower risk of CVD (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.70–0.90). Those who quit smoking and started exercising had a 46% reduced risk of CVD (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.41–0.71) and a 22% reduced risk in all-cause mortality (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.63–0.96). Smoking cessation and exercise initiation after a diagnosis of new-onset type 2 DM was associated with a reduced risk of CVD and all-cause mortality.

Atrial Fibrillation Specific Exercise Rehabilitation: Are We There Yet?

Regular physical activity and exercise training are integral for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Despite recent advances in more holistic care pathways for people with atrial fibrillation (AF), exercise rehabilitation is not provided as part of routine care. The most recent European Society of Cardiology report for AF management states that patients should be encouraged to undertake moderate-intensity exercise and remain physically active to prevent AF incidence or recurrence. The aim of this review was to collate data from primary trials identified in three systematic reviews and recent real-world cohort studies to propose an AF-specific exercise rehabilitation guideline. Collating data from 21 studies, we propose that 360–720 metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week, corresponding to ~60–120 min of exercise per week at moderate-to-vigorous intensity, could be an evidence-based recommendation for patients with AF to improve AF-specific outcomes, quality of life, and possibly prevent long-term major adverse cardiovascular events. Furthermore, non-traditional, low-moderate intensity exercise, such as Yoga, seems to have promising benefits on patient quality of life and possibly physical capacity and should, therefore, be considered in a personalised rehabilitation programme. Finally, we discuss the interesting concepts of short-term exercise-induced cardioprotection and ‘none-response’ to exercise training with reference to AF rehabilitation.

Low Risk of Dementia in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation and a Clustering of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Background Limited data are available on the clinical impact of healthy lifestyle behaviors on the risk of dementia in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Here, we aimed to evaluate the association between a combination of healthy lifestyle behaviors and the risk of incident dementia in patients with AF. Methods and Results Using the Korean National Health Insurance database between 2009 and 2016, we identified 199 952 adult patients who were newly diagnosed as AF without dementia. Patients were categorized into 4 groups by healthy lifestyle behavior score (HLS) with 1 point each being assigned for no current smoking, alcohol abstinence, and regular exercise. The HLS 0, 1, 2, and 3 groups included 4.4%, 17.4%, 53.4%, and 24.8% of the patients, respectively. We performed an inverse probability of treatment weighting to balance covariates between HLS groups. The HLS 1, 2, and 3 groups were associated with a lower risk of dementia compared with the HLS 0 group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.769; 95% CI, 0.704-0.842 for HLS 1; HR, 0.770; 95% CI, 0.709-0.836 for HLS 2; and HR, 0.622; 95% CI, 0.569-0.679 for HLS 3). The risk of dementia showed a tendency to decrease with an increase in HLS (P-for-trend <0.001). Conclusions A clustering of healthy lifestyle behaviors was associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia in patients with new-onset AF. These findings support the promotion of a healthy lifestyle within an integrated care approach to AF patient management.

2021 Focused Update Consensus Guidelines of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society on Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: Executive Summary

The consensus of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) on stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) has been published in 2017 which provided useful clinical guidance for cardiologists, neurologists, geriatricians, and general practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region. In these years, many important new data regarding stroke prevention in AF were reported. The practice guidelines subcommittee members comprehensively reviewed updated information on stroke prevention in AF, and summarized them in this 2021 focused update of the 2017 consensus guidelines of the APHRS on stroke prevention in AF. We highlighted and focused on several issues, including the importance of the AF Better Care pathway, the advantages of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for Asians, the considerations of use of NOACs for Asian AF patients with single one stroke risk factor beyond gender, the role of lifestyle factors on stroke risk, the use of oral anticoagulants during the "coronavirus disease 2019" pandemic, etc. We fully realize that there are gaps, unaddressed questions, and many areas of uncertainty and debate in the current knowledge of AF, and the physician's decision remains the most important factor in the management of AF.

Association of Physical Activity Level With Risk of Dementia in a Nationwide Cohort in Korea

IMPORTANCE

Current guidelines recommend 500 to 999 metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes per week (MET-min/wk) of regular physical activity. However, evidence regarding the association between light-intensity physical activity (LPA) and dementia in older adults is inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between physical activity and new-onset dementia, focusing on the dose-response association between physical activity and dementia and the association of LPA with the incidence of dementia.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

For this nationwide retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 62 286 participants aged 65 years or older without preexisting dementia who had available health checkup data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database from January 2009 to December 2012. Participants were followed up until December 31, 2013, and data analysis was performed from July 2020 to January 2021.

EXPOSURES

Physical activity level was assessed using a standardized, self-reported questionnaire at baseline. Physical activity-related energy expenditure (in MET-min/wk) was calculated by summing the product of frequency, intensity, and duration.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Incidence of dementia. Incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of events by the person-time at risk (presented as the incidence per 1000 person-years). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for dementia were analyzed according to physical activity level. Competing risk regression was performed by using the Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model, with mortality as the competing risk for dementia events. Multivariable regression models were constructed with adjustment for various patient characteristics. Incident dementia occurring 2 years after enrollment was assessed, and separate analyses included all follow-up periods. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to examine the association of continuous values of physical activity with dementia.

RESULTS

Among 62 286 participants, 60.4% were women, and the mean (SD) age was 73.2 (5.3) years. During a median follow-up of 42 months, 3757 participants (6.0%) developed dementia, and the overall incidence was 21.6 per 1000 person-years. Compared with inactive individuals (0 MET-min/wk), insufficiently active (1-499 MET-min/wk; mean, 284 MET-min/wk), active (500-999 MET-min/wk; mean, 675 MET-min/wk), and highly active participants (≥1000 MET-min/wk; mean, 1627 MET-min/wk) showed 10% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-0.99), 20% (adjusted HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.92), and 28% (adjusted HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60-0.83) reduced dementia risk, respectively. Thus, a progressive decrease in the adjusted HR of dementia was associated with increasing physical activity level, and a restricted cubic spline curve showed that this association started with a low amount of total physical activity. This association was consistent regardless of age, sex, and other comorbidities or after censoring for stroke. Compared with total sedentary behavior, even a low amount of LPA (1-299 MET-min/wk; mean, 189 MET-min/wk) was associated with reduced dementia risk (adjusted HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In older adults, an increased physical activity level, including a low amount of LPA, was associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Promotion of LPA might reduce the risk of dementia in older adults.

2021 Focused update of the 2017 consensus guidelines of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) on stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

The consensus of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) on stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) has been published in 2017 which provided useful clinical guidance for cardiologists, neurologists, geriatricians, and general practitioners in Asia-Pacific region. In these years, many important new data regarding stroke prevention in AF were reported. The Practice Guidelines subcommittee members comprehensively reviewed updated information on stroke prevention in AF, and summarized them in this 2021 focused update of the 2017 consensus guidelines of the APHRS on stroke prevention in AF. We highlighted and focused on several issues, including the importance of AF Better Care (ABC) pathway, the advantages of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for Asians, the considerations of use of NOACs for Asian patients with AF with single 1 stroke risk factor beyond gender, the role of lifestyle factors on stroke risk, the use of oral anticoagulants during the "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19) pandemic, etc. We fully realize that there are gaps, unaddressed questions, and many areas of uncertainty and debate in the current knowledge of AF, and the physician's decision remains the most important factor in the management of AF.