Walking and exercise are linked to lower heart failure in older women

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) – The older a woman or older woman walks, the less likely she is to have heart failure, a new study reveals.

Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in people aged 65 and over.

The researchers say the results are a first and concern postmenopausal women aged 50 and 70 who are in good health. The study has tracked the exercise habits and heart health of more than 137,000 women since the early 1990s.

"This is a great finding in that most adults can practice walking activities throughout the day and often do this as part of daily activities," said L & # 39; lead author of the study, Michael. The climb. He is an associate professor of research at the School of Public Health and Health Professions of the University of Buffalo, New York.

Although walking is better, the intensity of exercise is not a major factor in reducing the risk of heart failure, according to the study. This suggests that the amount of activity and not the effort required was the key to preventing heart failure in the older women studied.

The new findings have important public health implications as the number of people aged 60 and over in the United States is expected to double by 2035, with women outnumbering men by 1 to 1 .

"It would not surprise me if similar results were reported among men," LaMonte said, adding that more research was needed to confirm it.

On average, study participants were 63 years old. All declared themselves the type, duration and intensity of their physical activity. They were followed for 14 years on average.

During this period, about 2,500 people suffered from heart failure.

The investigators also developed a subgroup of women who had previously had one of two types of heart failure: the reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and the ejection fraction preserved (HFpEF).

HFrEF is a form of dangerous heart failure that occurs when the muscle is too weak to contract with sufficient force. HFpEF is usually less severe and occurs when the heart stiffens and loses flexibility. This is more common among older women and minorities.

During the study period, 451 women presented with HFrEF, while another 734 had HFpEF.

The study found that when it comes to the protective effect of exercise on the heart, there is more.

For example, every 30 to 45 minutes, a woman practicing a form of physical activity reduces her overall risk of heart failure by 9%, compared to women who have never done so much. ; exercises.

Almost the same protective effect was observed for HFrEF and HFpEF.

Women who adhered to the weekly guidelines recommended for moderate-intensity walking had a 30% lower risk of heart failure. The guidelines suggest a brisk walk of 150 minutes a week.

It remains to be seen if walking would be even more beneficial for heart health. LaMonte said his team did not specifically address this issue.

The results were published in the September 5 online edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure.

Dr. Gregg Fonarow, director of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center in Los Angeles, reviewed the study.

He said the ongoing investigation is one of the largest ever to have ever shown a link between the increase in physical activity levels among women and the lower risk of dementia. ;heart failure.

The result, according to Fonarow, is: "Physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, a healthy blood pressure, a healthy cholesterol level and the absence of smoking are among the means the most effective for maintaining heart health and preventing heart failure. "

More information

There is more about the risk of heart failure at the American Heart Association.