Study: Walking Distance, Speed Affects CVD Risk in Older Adults
Modest physical activity, especially walking, was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older men and women, according to a recent study. The results support existing physical activity recommendations for individuals in this age group.
While guidelines suggest that older adults regularly engage in physical activity to reduce CVD risk, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the relationship.
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For their study, researchers conducted a cohort analysis of 4207 and women with mean age 73 years and who were free of CVD at baseline between 1989 and 1999. Levels of physical activity were accessed overtime in order to minimize the risk of misclassification. Leisure time activity and exercise intensity were updated at baseline, and in 1992 and 1996.
Overall, 1182 CVD events occurred during follow-up. Researchers found that greater levels of physical activity were inversely associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, and total CVD risk, even in participants over 75 years old. Walking pace and distance, as well as leisure-time activity and exercise intensity were all associated with lower risk.
“These data provide empiric suggestion supporting physical activity recommendations, in particular walking, to reduce incidence of CVD among older adults,” they concluded.
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Miranda L, Siscovick DS, Psaty BM, et al. Physical activity and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in older adults: the cardiovascular health study. Circ. November 4, 2015. [epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.018323