In a new study from the University of Padua in Italy, researchers found a higher level of physical activity among the elderly is associated with a lower risk for heart disease especially early in late life.
They examined whether physical activity trajectories in late life are linked to different risks for cardiovascular diseases.
The analysis included 3,099 Italians aged 65 years or older with follow-up at four years and seven years and surveillance with hospital and mortality records through 2018.
The researchers found that overall, physical activity was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. There was a big risk reduction among men, which was stronger earlier in late life (70 to 75 years).
In men, compared with those with stable-low trajectories, trajectories of stable-high physical activity were associated with a much lower risk for heart disease.
There were no significant associations observed for stroke. More than 20 minutes of physical activity per day was linked to the greatest cardiovascular risk reduction and was more marked at 70 years.
These results suggest that public health policies should promote physical activity in mid and early late life, rather than late in late life, given a probable greater effectiveness in reducing heart risks.
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The study is published in Heart and was conducted by Claudio Barbiellini Amidei et al.
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