A major new study has further strengthened the evidence that physical activity such as bike riding reduces the incidence of heart attack and stroke.
Participants who engaged in 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous physical activity during the week of observation reduced their risk of being hospitalized for or death from heart failure by two-thirds compared to participants who did not engage in the same amounts of moderate or vigorous physical activity during the week.
The study, published in the journal Circulation, is one of the first to examine the association between objectively measured physical activity levels and heart failure risk independently of sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical factors.
Researchers tracked the incidence of heart failure over six years in more than 94,000 middle-aged adults in the U.K. Biobank database who wore wrist accelerometers to record the amount and intensity of their physical activity over seven days between 2013-2015.
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition that develops when the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to keep up with the body's needs for blood and oxygen, and it can result in fatigue and difficulty breathing.
“There are many potential ways that regular physical activity may reduce the risk of developing heart failure,” said Frederick K. Ho, PhD, co-lead author of the study and a lecturer in public health at the University of Glasgow in Glasgow, Scotland.
“For example, physical activity helps prevent weight gain and related cardiometabolic conditions, such as high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, all of which are risk factors for heart failure.
“Regular physical exercise may also strengthen the heart muscle, which, in turn, may prevent heart failure from developing.”
“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,” Ho said.
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, according to Ho and colleagues.
“Health care professionals may suggest more physical activity based on a patient’s current lifestyle and health status,” Ho said.
“Generally, moderate physical activity is easier to incorporate into daily routines, and it’s generally safer.
“Vigorous physical activity is sometimes the most time-efficient and may be more suitable for busy people.
“However, caution is advised for all when beginning a new physical activity regimen to prevent injuries or acute adverse events (such as a heart attack in a formerly sedentary person initiating a vigorous exercise program).”