Key result
Stair climbing ≥60% of the time was associated with a reduced risk of incident atrial fibrillation compared to climbing stairs <20% of the time (HR 0.69).
Why the study?
Physical activity has been suggested to protect against atrial fibrillation, but the association between stair climbing—a readily available activity—and AF risk was unknown.
Does frequent stair climbing prevent incident atrial fibrillation in adults without a history of atrial fibrillation?
Cohort (n=6,575)
Does frequent stair climbing prevent incident atrial fibrillation in adults without a history of atrial fibrillation?
Frequent stair climbing is associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing incident atrial fibrillation, suggesting a simple lifestyle intervention for population-level prevention.
Hypothesis-generating for stair climbing in AF prevention; prospective trials needed before clinical adoption.
BACKGROUND: A protective role for physical activity against the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been suggested. Stair climbing is a readily available form of physical activity that many people practice. Herein, we investigated the association between stair climbing and the risk of AF in a Japanese population. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we used data of 6,575 people registered in the Suita Study, aged 30-84 years, and had no history of AF. The frequency of stair climbing was assessed by a baseline questionnaire, while AF was diagnosed during the follow-up using a 12-lead ECG, health records, check-ups, and death certificates. We used the Cox regression to calculate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of AF incidence for climbing stairs in 20-39%, 40-59%, and ≥60% compared with <20% of the time. RESULTS: Within 91,389 person-years of follow-up, 295 participants developed AF. The incidence of AF was distributed across the stair climbing groups <20%, 20-39%, 40-59%, and ≥60% as follows: 3.57, 3.27, 3.46, and 2.63/1,000 person-years, respectively. Stair climbing ≥60% of the time was associated with a reduced risk of AF after adjustment for age and sex 0.69 (0.49, 0.96). Further adjustment for lifestyle and medical history did not affect the results 0.69 (0.49, 0.98). CONCLUSION: Frequent stair climbing could protect from AF. From a preventive point of view, stair climbing could be a simple way to reduce AF risk at the population level.
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Arafa et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=6,575). Stair climbing ≥60% of the time vs. Stair climbing <20% of the time was evaluated on Incident atrial fibrillation (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49, 0.98). Stair climbing ≥60% of the time was associated with a reduced risk of incident atrial fibrillation compared to climbing stairs <20% of the time (HR 0.69).
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