Sophia Antipolis, February 12, 2021: An active lifestyle is linked to a lower chance of dying immediately from a heart attack, according to a study published today in the European Journal of Preventive Geology, journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) .1
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and prevention is a public health priority. The positive effect of physical activity in the prevention of heart disease and sudden death on a population level is well documented. This study focused on the effect of an active anti-sedentary lifestyle on the course of an immediate heart attack – an area of little information.
The researchers used data from 10 European observational groups including healthy participants with a baseline assessment of physical activity who had a heart attack during follow-up work – 28,140 people in total. Participants were classified according to the weekly level of physical activity during recreation as sedentary, low, moderate or high.
The association between activity level and risk of death from heart attack (immediate and within 28 days) was examined in each individual group and the results were then collated. The analyzes were adjusted for age, gender, diabetes, blood pressure, family history of heart disease, smoking, body mass index, blood cholesterol, alcohol consumption, and socioeconomic status.
4,976 (17.7%) participants died within 28 days of having a heart attack – of these, 3,101 (62.3%) died instantly. Overall, a higher level of physical activity was associated with a lower risk of immediate and 28-day fatal heart attack, apparently in a manner similar to a dose response. Patients who had engaged in moderate and high levels of physical activity at leisure had a 33% and 45% lower risk of immediate death compared with individuals. At 28 days these figures were 36% and 28%, respectively. The relationship with low activity did not reach statistical significance.
The author of the study, Dr Kim Wadt Hansen from Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark, said: “Nearly 18% of patients died of a heart attack within 28 days, confirming the severity of the condition. We found the immediate survival benefit of previous physical activity in the heart attack setting, a benefit that seemed to be maintained at 28 days. “
He noted: “Based on our analyzes, even a low level of physical activity at leisure may be beneficial against fatal heart attacks, but statistical uncertainty prevents us from make strong decisions on that point. “
The authors of the paper said: “Our aggregated analysis strongly supports the recommendations on weekly physical activity in healthy adults reported in the 2016 European Directive on the prevention of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice; 2 to especially because we used cutting values for physical activity. compared to those used in the manual. “
The guidelines recommend that healthy adults of all ages do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity or 75 minutes a week of intense aerobic physical activity or an equivalent combination of them.
Dr Hansen concluded: “There are many ways to be physically active at little or no cost. Our study provides even more evidence for the benefits of exercise.”
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Funding:
Danish Heart Foundation (18-R124-A8318-22104). The funding source was not involved in study planning; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; writing the report; or the decision to submit the report for publication.
Publications:
none were mentioned.
Notes
References
1Hansen KW, Peytz N, Blokstra A, et al. Association of lethal myocardial infarction with past physical activity level: a compiled study of cohort studies. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2021. doi: 10.1093 / eurjpc / zwaa146.
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2Piepoli MF, Hoes AW, Agewall S, et al. 2016 European Guidelines on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in Clinical Practice. Eur Heart J.. 2016; 37: 2315-2381.
About the European Society of Cardiology
The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to promote cardiovascular medicine and help people live longer and healthier lives.
About the European Journal of Preventive Geology
The European Journal of Preventive Geology It is the leading journal of preventive pharmacology in the world, playing an important role in reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
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