Table 1.
Relation of frequency of vigorous exercise to baseline clinical characteristics and risk factors for atrial fibrillation
| Characteristic | Non-Exercisers | <1 day/week | 1−2 days/week | 3−4 days/week | 5−7 days/week | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total cohort | 6321, (37.4%) | 762, (4.5%) | 3215, (19.0%) | 4496, (26.6%) | 2127, (12.6%) | |
| Age, years (mean)* | 52.6 | 50.0 | 51.1 | 51.1 | 52.1 | <0.01 |
| Body Mass Index (mean) (kg/m2)*, | 25.1 | 24.8 | 24.7 | 24.4 | 24.0 | <0.01 |
| Parental myocardial infarction before age 60* | 8.9% | 10.4% | 10.2% | 9.6% | 10.0% | 0.10 |
| Smoking status* | ||||||
| Never | 49.0% | 55.7% | 53.6% | 54.8% | 51.9% | <0.01 |
| Past smoker | 37.4% | 35.4% | 37.0% | 38.8% | 43.1% | <0.01 |
| Current smoker | 13.8% | 9.1% | 9.4% | 6.5% | 5.0% | <0.01 |
| Medical Conditions | ||||||
| Diabetes Mellitus† | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 1.9% | <0.01 |
| High cholesterol level†,‡ | 14.0% | 11.5% | 14.1% | 14.2% | 13.3% | 0.93 |
| Hypertension†,§ | 29.5% | 23.5% | 25.1% | 23.4% | 21.9% | <0.01 |
| Left ventricular hypertrophy∥ | 0.28% | 0.26% | 0.16% | 0.22% | 0.28% | 0.62 |
| Episodes of alcohol intake* | ||||||
| <1 time/week | 28.9% | 24.2% | 22.7% | 23.6% | 24.7% | <0.01 |
| 1−6 times/week | 46.9% | 55.3% | 54.1% | 54.3% | 50.9% | <0.01 |
| 1 or more times/day | 24.2% | 20.5% | 23.2% | 22.2% | 24.4% | 0.25 |
| Fish consumption: ≥1 meal per week# | 89.5% | 91.0 | 92.1% | 92.2% | 90.9% | <0.01 |
| Multivitamin consumption* | 32.1% | 32.6% | 34.4% | 35.7% | 39.2% | <0.01 |
| Vitamin C consumption* | 19.5% | 23.2% | 23.3% | 24.7% | 26.7% | <0.01 |
| Vitamin E consumption* | 8.3% | 8.4% | 9.2% | 11.1% | 12.6% | <0.01 |
*
Information ascertained on baseline questionnaire
†
Information ascertained on baseline and 24 month questionnaire
‡
The diagnosis of high cholesterol level was based upon self-report, a total cholesterol level ≥ 260 mg/dl (6.7 mmol/liter) or the use of cholesterol lowering medications.
§
Hypertension was diagnosed based on a self-reported systolic blood pressure ≥ 160mm Hg, a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 or the use of antihypertensive medications.
∥
Information ascertained on 15-year questionnaire
#
Information ascertained on 12-month questionnaire