New research from Denmark shows that people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can lower their risk of death and serious heart problems just by being physically active—even at low levels.
The study will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna this September.
The study included over 11,000 people from the Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Type 2 Diabetes. All participants had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past two years and had no history of heart disease.
Researchers asked participants about their physical activity levels and tracked their health for more than 8 years.
The participants were grouped into three categories based on their activity levels: sedentary (no regular activity), light activity (like walking), and moderate-to-vigorous activity (like jogging or cycling). About 18% reported being sedentary, 62% did light activity, and 20% did moderate-to-vigorous activity.
During the follow-up period, there were 1,149 serious heart-related events (like heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure) and 1,048 deaths.
The researchers found that people who were active had a much lower risk of these problems compared to those who were inactive.
After adjusting for other health and lifestyle factors, the study found that light activity was linked to a 23% lower risk of major heart problems and a 27% lower risk of death from any cause.
For those who did moderate-to-vigorous activity, the risk was even lower—28% less for heart problems and 33% less for overall death.
Even after accounting for other medical risks like high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, these benefits remained. Moderate-to-vigorous activity still showed a 30% lower risk of heart problems and 31% lower risk of death. Light activity showed a 20% and 22% reduction in those same risks.
The researchers say this shows that any amount of physical activity can make a big difference, even if it’s just light movement. For people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, staying active—even at a modest level—can help prevent serious heart issues and premature death.
“Doing something is better than doing nothing,” the authors concluded. “Even light activity can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death in people with type 2 diabetes.”
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about The hidden connection between cancer and diabetes uncovered and findings of Scientists find the best way to help people with diabetes lose weight.
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