Cardiovascular Risk Factors Could Predict Walking Limitations

Higher cardiovascular risk scores are associated with a greater risk of subsequent development of walking limitations in adults younger than 78 years old, according to the results of a recent study.

In order to examine the association between cardiovascular risk factor burden and walking speed and balance, and how these associations are affected by age and cognitive status, researchers conducted a longitudinal population-based study in Stockholm, Sweden involving participants (aged 60 years and older) in the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. The participants were free of limitations in walking speed (n=1441), balance (n =1154), or chair stands (n=1496) at baseline.
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Cardiovascular risk factor burden was measured using the Framingham general cardiovascular risk score (FRS), and demographic, lifestyle, and cognitive function data were collected at baseline. Walking speed, balance, and chair stand were measured at 3-, 6-, and 9-year follow-up.

A total of 326 individuals developed limitations in walking speed, 303 in balance, and 374 in chair stands during follow-up. Overall, FRS was associated with walking speed limitation, but only in adults younger than 78 years old, with each 1-point increase in FRS corresponding to a hazard ratio of 1.09. FRS was also significantly associated with faster decline in walking speed.

“Interventions targeting multiple [cardiovascular risk factors] in younger-old people may help in maintaining mobility function,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Heiland EG, Qui C, Wang R, et al. Cardiovascular risk burden and future risk of walking speed limitation in older adults [published online November 10, 2017]. JAGS. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15158.