It is well known that physically active people have a lower risk of heart failure than others. However, here is a link that we did not know:researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (United States) have studied the impact of physical activity on heart failure over the years. They came to the conclusion that the practice of regular physical activity, even when started in middle age, would be linked to a lower risk of heart failure.
For the purposes of the study, the scientists analyzed data from 11,351 people who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. The participants were on average 60 years old and had no history of cardiovascular disease. The researchers then found 1,750 cases of heart failure over an average period of 19 years. They then divided the group into 3, according to different levels of activity:poor, intermediate and recommended. This last level corresponds to 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week or 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, or 20 minutes of walking per day. Results ? The risk of heart failure decreased by about 12% in participants who increased from a lower level of physical activity to a higher level (from poor to intermediate/recommended or even from intermediate to recommended). In parallel with this observation, this same risk of heart failure increased by 18% in participants who regressed or rather decreased their levels of physical activity. Professor Chiadi Ndumele, lead author of the study, said:“Our results suggest that engaging in regular activity for 150 minutes each week of moderate to vigorous activity, such as brisk walking or cycling, may be enough to reduce the risk of heart failure by 31%.
So you know what you have to do!
