Energy balance
In older adults, higher walking pace (>3 mph) and greater leisure-time physical activity (>845 kcal/week) are independently associated with a significantly lower risk of incident heart failure, whereas high-intensity exercise intensity and walking distance are not.
For older adults, focusing on maintaining a brisk walking pace (over 3 mph) and engaging in moderate leisure activities that burn at least 845 kcal per week is a highly effective strategy for preventing heart failure. You do not need to engage in high-intensity exercise to gain these cardiovascular benefits.
Walking pace and leisure activity were associated with a 26% and 22% lower risk of HF, respectively (pace >3 mph vs. <2 mph; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63 to 0.86; leisure activity ≥845 kcal/week vs. <845 kcal/week; HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.87)... the highest category of walking pace and leisure activity, but not exercise intensity and walking distance, were each independently associated with lower HF risk
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (n=4,490), long follow-up (21.5 years), rigorous adjudication of HF, and adjustment for multiple confounders.
Source
Contribution of Major Lifestyle Risk Factors for Incident Heart Failure in Older Adults
Liana C. Del Gobbo et al. · JACC Heart Failure · 2015
DOI 10.1016/j.jchf.2015.02.009
More from this paper
- Combining four or more healthy lifestyle factors (walking pace ≥2 mph, leisure activity ≥845 kcal/week, no current smoking, modest alcohol intake, and BMI <30 kg/m2) is associated with a 45% lower risk of incident heart failure compared to having zero or one such factor.Good
- Overall dietary patterns (AHEI, DASH, AHA 2020, Biologic) are not associated with the risk of incident heart failure in older adults, although higher sodium intake is associated with an increased risk.Good
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →