Even Modest Physical Activity Can Lower CVD Risk in Older Adults
Elderly individuals experience significant reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with physical activity, comparable to the benefits seen by middle-aged individuals, according to the results of a recent study.
For their study, the researchers analyzed data on 24,502 participants from 39 to 79 years of age who were involved in the EPIC Norfolk prospective population study. They stratified participants into 3 age categories: younger than age 55 years, age 55 to 65 years, and older than 65 years of age. The association between physical activity levels and CVD events were assessed using cox proportional hazard models and interactions between age categories and physical activity were examined.
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During the median 18 years of follow-up, 5240 CVD events were observed.
Compared with inactive people over 65 years of age, the hazard ratios for CVD events were 0.86 for moderately inactive, 0.87 for moderately active, and 0.88 for active individuals over 65 years of age. The associations between physical activity and CVD events were similar among people aged 55 to 65 years and those less than 55 years of age, but were not statistically significant.
In addition, the researchers did not observe any significant interactions between physical activity levels and age categories.
“In all age groups, even a little engagement in [physical activity] of moderate inactive level and not necessarily [physical activity]of vigorous level was associated with a substantially lower CVD risk compared to no [physical activity]at all; however, when adjusted for socioeconomic status this is only observed in elderly people. A broader array of public health, healthcare systems and communities should be involved in helping elderly people to engage in any [physical activity]of any level and to reduce a sedentary lifestyle,” the researchers concluded.
—Melissa Weiss
Reference:
Lachman S, Boekholdt SM, Luben RN, et al. Impact of physical activity on the risk of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and older adults: EPIC Norfolk prospective population study [published online November 21, 2017. Eur J Prev Cardiol. https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487317737628.