Table 3.
Relative risk of atrial fibrillation according to frequency of habitual vigorous exercise at 3 years, stratified by age group
| Variable: Frequency of Habitual Vigorous Exercise | Non-Exercisers | <1 day/week | 1−2 days/week | 3−4 days/week | 5−7 days/week | P Value for Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Less than 50 Years | ||||||
| Age-Adjusted (Model 1)* | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.96 | 1.15 | 0.95 | 1.69 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.56−1.63 | 0.84−1.57 | 0.71−1.28 | 1.22−2.33 | 0.014 | |
| Multivariable Model 2† | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.95 | 1.22 | 1.00 | 1.69 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.55−1.66 | 0.88−1.68 | 0.73−1.36 | 1.21−2.37 | 0.015 | |
| Multivariable Model 3‡ | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.94 | 1.20 | 1.05 | 1.74 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.53−1.67 | 0.87−1.66 | 0.76−1.43 | 1.23−2.47 | <0.01 | |
| Age 50 Years or Greater, but Less than Age 65 Years | ||||||
| Age-Adjusted (Model 1)* | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.87 | 1.01 | 0.97 | 1.09 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.61−1.24 | 0.85−1.21 | 0.82−1.14 | 0.88−1.34 | 0.57 | |
| Multivariable Model 2† | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.88 | 1.02 | 0.97 | 1.07 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.61−1.27 | 0.85−1.22 | 0.82−1.15 | 0.87−1.33 | 0.65 | |
| Multivariable Model 3‡ | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.93 | 1.07 | 1.03 | 1.16 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.65−1.35 | 0.89−1.29 | 0.86−1.22 | 0.93−1.44 | 0.25 | |
| Age 65 Years or Greater | ||||||
| Age-Adjusted (Model 1)* | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 1.00 | 1.06 | 1.15 | 0.94 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.51−1.95 | 0.77−1.46 | 0.88−1.49 | 0.67−1.31 | 0.97 | |
| Multivariable Model 2† | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.78 | 1.03 | 1.12 | 0.92 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.37−1.64 | 0.75−1.43 | 0.86−1.47 | 0.66−1.29 | 0.99 | |
| Multivariable Model 3‡ | ||||||
| Relative risk | 1.0 | 0.81 | 1.10 | 1.12 | 0.97 | |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.39−1.71 | 0.79−1.53 | 0.85−1.48 | 0.69−1.37 | 0.86 | |
Model 1 controlled for age and treatment assignment (aspirin or placebo, beta carotene or placebo).
Model 2 excluded possible physiologic intermediaries between exercise and AF. Model 2 controlled for age, treatment assignment (aspirin or placebo, beta carotene or placebo), parental history of premature myocardial infarction, alcohol intake, smoking habits, fish consumption, multivitamin intake, vitamin C intake and vitamin E intake.
Model 3 controlled for age, treatment assignment (aspirin or placebo, beta carotene or placebo), BMI, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, history of hyperlipidemia, parental history of premature myocardial infarction, alcohol intake, smoking habits, fish consumption, multivitamin intake, vitamin C intake, vitamin E intake, left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, and evidence of cardiovascular disease.