Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Combined effects of early rhythm control and exercise on atrial fibrillation outcomes: Nationwide cohort analysis
- Nationwide cohort analysis
Authors' conclusion
The combination of ERC and exercise maintenance yielded a synergistic effect, maximizing the reduction in MACE and all-cause death risks, highlighting the importance of integrated management in AF.
Study context
- Population
- Patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF), National Health Information Databasepatients diagnosed with AF
- Participants
- 161,379 patients
- Exposure
- the combination of early rhythm control (ERC) status and exercise habit change
- Outcome
- major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause death
- Follow-up
- Mean 4.6 years
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI)P value
ERCMACE; lower risk
0.832(0.797–0.868)
both P < .001ERCall-cause death; lower risk
0.953(0.915–0.992)
both P < .001Exercise maintenanceMACE; lower risk
0.822(0.763–0.886)
both P < .001Exercise maintenanceall-cause death; lower risk
0.708(0.658–0.762)
both P < .001combination of ERC and exercise maintenanceMACE; lowest risk
0.641(0.576–0.713)
both P < .001combination of ERC and exercise maintenanceall-cause death; lowest risk
0.564(0.499–0.636)
both P < .001Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Combined effects of early rhythm control and exercise on atrial fibrillation outcomes: Nationwide cohort analysis. Heart Rhythm. Published 14 August 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.08.008
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it