Scientists have long known that regular physical activity helps prevent stroke, heart attacks and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
In a new study, scientists found that being physically active in middle age – before having a heart attack – may reduce the risk of having a second heart attack.
They looked at data from 1,115 adults in Mississippi, North Carolina, Maryland and Minnesota who had a heart attack sometime between the mid-1990s and the end of 2018.
Their average age was 73 at the time of the heart attack.
Then the researchers looked at how much study participants said they exercised at two-time points in the years before their heart attack.
Using a questionnaire that included sports, leisure time activities and work-related physical activity such as household chores, participants received a total score.
The team found that after a median follow-up of two years, those in the highest physical activity group had a 34% lower risk of having a second heart attack compared with those in the lowest activity group.
Having a history of high physical activity was especially helpful in the first year after a heart attack when the risk of having another one was 63% lower than for those in the least active group.
Also during that first-year post-heart attack, the risk of dying from any cause was 39% lower in the most active group compared with the least active.
This study provides additional evidence for the value of maintaining high physical activity levels at middle age before you have a heart attack, which can contribute to a better prognosis afterward.
Still it’s important not to think of the physical activity as an all-or-nothing pursuit.
The team says more activity is good, but even a little physical activity is important for managing cardiovascular disease risk.
Federal physical activity guidelines advise adults to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both.
Muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week also are recommended.
If you care about heart failure, please read studies about a big cause of heart failure, and Aspirin is linked to higher risk of heart failure.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how espresso coffee affects your cholesterol level, and results showing Vitamin C, but not vitamin E, linked to lower risk of heart failure.
The study was conducted by Yejin Mok et al and presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions.
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