How Does Physical Activity Affect Cardiovascular Mortality Risk in Older Adults?
Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with reduced risk of total and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and incident CVD events in older adults independent of major CVD risk factors, according to the results of a recent study.
While previous research has demonstrated the benefits of regular physical activity in middle-aged adults, less is known about the effects of LTPA on heart disease and mortality in older individuals.
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To further explore this issue, researchers conducted a population-based cohort study of men and women aged 65 to 74 who participated in a baseline risk factor survey between 1997 and 2007. The researchers categorized LTPA into 3 levels: low, moderate, and high.
Overall, multifactorial-adjusted risk of total mortality, CVD mortality, and incident CVD event were lower in individuals with moderate or high LTPA levels compared with those with low LTPA levels. After adjusting for self-reported inability to perform LTPA, the results did not change remarkably.
“Baseline LTPA reduces the risk of total and CVD mortality and incident CVD events in older adults independently of the major known CVD risk factors. The protective effect of LTPA is dose dependent,” the researchers concluded.
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Barengo NC, Antikainen R, Borodulin K, Harald K, Jousilahti P. Leisure-time physical activity reduces total and cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence in older adults [published online December 26, 2016]. J Am Geriatr Soc. doi:10.1111/jgs.14694.