BACKGROUND There are limited data regarding the combined effect of early rhythm control (ERC) and healthy lifestyle (HLS) behaviors on the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

OBJECTIVES This study sought to evaluate how the combination of ERC and HLS behaviors affects the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AF.

METHODS Using the Korean National Health Insurance database, we included patients with new-onset AF between 2009 and 2016 (n = 208,662). Patients who received rhythm control therapy within 2 years after AF diagnosis were defined as the ERC group. Patients with ≥2 HLS behaviors were defined as the HLS group. Patients were categorized into 4 groups: group 1, without ERC and without HLS (n = 46,972); group 2, with HLS alone (n = 110,479); group 3, with ERC alone (n = 15,133); and group 4, with both ERC and HLS (n = 36,078). The primary outcome was ischemic stroke.

RESULTS Compared to group 1, group 2 and group 3 were associated with a lower risk of stroke (HR: 0.769 [95% CI: 0.728-0.881] and HR: 0.774 [95% CI: 0.703-0.852], respectively). Group 4 showed the lowest risk of stroke (HR: 0.575; 95% CI: 0.536-0.617). After propensity score weighting, the incorporation of additional ERC alongside HLS was associated with a relative risk reduction of 22% for stroke, and additional HLS alongside ERC were associated with a relative risk reduction of 27% for stroke.

CONCLUSIONS Each of ERC and HLS might reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with new-onset AF. The presence of both ERC and HLS is associated with an enhanced benefit for stroke prevention in this population.