Atrial Fibrillation Could Accelerate Decline in Physical Performance

According to a new study from researchers at Boston University, developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) can hasten older patients’ decline in walking speed, strength and balance, as well as other facets of physical performance.

A team of investigators evaluated the physical performance of 2753 study participants, examining how they performed at ages 70, 74, 78, and 82, in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study, which investigated the long-term health outcomes of Medicare recipients.
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At the study’s outset, all participants were able to live independently. In comparing changes in the physical performance of those recently diagnosed with AFib and those without AFib over a 4-year span, the authors found that, overall, participants’ physical performance declined with age as expected. They also determined that those diagnosed with AFib experienced a much greater decline in physical performance tests of balance and grip strength, in addition to walking a much shorter distance in 2 minutes and requiring more time to walk 400 meters. On average, those with AFib completed the 400-meter walk 20 seconds slower than those without the most common type of irregular heartbeat.

In addition, the researchers discovered that AFib patients’ excess decline in physical performance equated to an extra 4 years of aging, and those diagnosed with AFib deteriorated at a faster pace in each individual element of the test.

"Age is the foremost risk factor for atrial fibrillation," the authors wrote, noting that "AF has a rising prevalence in older adults."

While pointing out that further research is "essential to identify mechanisms and preventive strategies for how Afib may contribute toward declining physical performance in older adults," the investigators added that, "in community-based cohort older adults, incident Afib was associated with increased risk of decline in physical performance."

—Mark McGraw

Reference:
Magnani J, Wang N, et al. Atrial fibrillation and declining physical performance in older adults: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study [published online April 6, 2016]. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. doi:10.1161/CIRCEP.115.003525.