It's never too late to get active

Date:
August 24, 2021
Source:
European Society of Cardiology
Summary:
A study in more than 30,000 heart patients shows that becoming
active later in life can be nearly as beneficial to survival as
continued activity.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A study in more than 30,000 heart patients shows that becoming active
later in life can be nearly as beneficial to survival as continued
activity. The research is presented at ESC Congress 2021.


========================================================================== "These encouraging findings highlight how patients with coronary heart
disease may benefit by preserving or adopting a physically active
lifestyle," said study author Dr. Nathalia Gonzalez of the University
of Bern, Switzerland.

Regular physical activity is advised for patients with heart disease,
but recommendations are largely based on studies that used either a single assessment or an average of activity levels assessed over time. However, patients may modify the amount of exercise they do, and it remains
unclear whether these changes are related to survival.

This study investigated activity levels over time and their relationship
to the risk of death in patients with heart disease.

The meta-analysis included 33,576 patients with coronary heart disease
from nine longitudinal cohorts. The average age was 62.5 years and 34%
were women.

The median follow-up was 7.2 years. Activity was assessed at baseline and follow-up using validated questionnaires and participants were classified
as active or inactive at the two time points. Definitions of active and inactive varied across the studies but were in line with recommendations
for healthy people: at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity,
or 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity, or a combination.

Patients were divided into four groups according to their activity
status at baseline and follow-up: inactive over time, active over time, increased activity over time, and decreased activity over time. All
the studies defined "increased activity over time" as moving from the
inactive to the active category and "decreased activity over time"
as moving from the active to the inactive category.

The researchers examined the risks of all-cause death and death from cardiovascular disease according to the four groups. Compared to patients
who were inactive over time, the risk of all-cause death was 50% lower
in those who were active over time, 45% lower in those who were inactive
but became active, and 20% lower in those who had been active but became inactive.

Similar results were observed for death due to cardiovascular
disease. Compared to those who remained inactive, the risk for
cardiovascular mortality was 51% lower among those who remained active and
27% lower for those whose activity increased. Cardiovascular mortality
was not statistically different for those whose activity decreased over
time, compared to those who remained inactive.

Dr. Gonzalez said: "The results show that continuing an active lifestyle
over the years is associated with the greatest longevity. However,
patients with heart disease can overcome prior years of inactivity and
obtain survival benefits by taking up exercise later in life. On the
other hand, the benefits of activity can be weakened or even lost if
activity is not maintained. The findings illustrate the benefits to heart patients of being physically active, regardless of their previous habits." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by European_Society_of_Cardiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


==========================================================================


Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210824083239.htm

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