Scientists from the University of Glasgow found that engaging in moderate or vigorous physical activity may lower the risk of developing heart failure.
They did a six-year analysis of more than 94,000 adults in the U.K. Biobank with no history of heart failure at enrolment.
The results are consistent with previous findings that performing 150-300 minutes of moderate exercise or 75-150 minutes of vigorous exercise each week may reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke.
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition that develops when the heart is not capable of pumping sufficient blood to keep up with the body’s needs for blood and oxygen, and it can result in fatigue and difficulty breathing.
In the study, the team analyzed the health records of 94,739 adults aged 37-73 in the U.K. Biobank.
At the time each participant was invited, enrolled, and analyzed, they had not been diagnosed with heart failure or had a heart attack.
During a follow-up about 6 years, the team found the adults who took 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity in one week had a 63% lower risk of heart failure.
Those who performed 75-150 minutes of vigorous physical activity in one week were estimated to have a 66% lower risk of heart failure compared to participants who engaged in minimal to no moderate or vigorous physical activity.
The estimated risk reductions were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic conditions, smoking, alcohol intake, and dietary factors.
These findings indicate that every physical movement counts. A leisurely, 10-minute walk is better than sitting and no physical activity.
And, if possible, try to walk a little faster, which increases the intensity and potential benefits of exercise.
The study results suggest that going above and beyond the current AHA recommendations for moderate activity may provide greater protection against heart failure.
They found that moderate physical activity has the potential increased heart disease risk benefits up until 500 minutes/week, as appropriate for each person.
People whose risk factors for heart failure include having a BMI that meets the criteria for overweight or obese, high blood pressure, and elevated glucose or cholesterol, may be particularly likely to benefit from increasing their physical activity.
If you care about heart failure, please read studies that drinking water may reduce your risk of heart failure, and this diet could help reverse heart failure.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how to eat less salt to protect your blood pressure and heart health, and results showing magnets in these popular devices may harm your heart health.
The research was published in Circulation and conducted by Frederick K. Ho et al.
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