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Physical Activity and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study.

TitlePhysical Activity and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsSoares-Miranda, L, Siscovick, DS, Psaty, BM, Longstreth, WT, Mozaffarian, D
JournalCirculation
Volume133
Issue2
Pagination147-55
Date Published2016 Jan 12
ISSN1524-4539
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Coronary Disease, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Status, Humans, Leisure Activities, Male, Motor Activity, Proportional Hazards Models, Prospective Studies, Sampling Studies, Stroke, United States, Walking
Abstract<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Although guidelines suggest that older adults engage in regular physical activity (PA) to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD), surprisingly few studies have evaluated this relationship, especially in those >75 years. In addition, with advancing age the ability to perform some types of PA might decrease, making light-moderate exercise such as walking especially important to meet recommendations.</p><p><b>METHODS AND RESULTS: </b>Prospective cohort analysis among 4207 US men and women of a mean age of 73 years (standard deviation=6) who were free of CVD at baseline in the Cardiovascular Health Study were followed from 1989 to 1999. PA was assessed and cumulatively updated over time to minimize misclassification and assess the long-term effects of habitual activity. Walking (pace, blocks, combined walking score) was updated annually from baseline through 1999. Leisure-time activity and exercise intensity were updated at baseline, 1992, and 1996. Incident CVD (fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary death, or stroke) was adjudicated using medical records. During 41,995 person-years of follow-up, 1182 CVD events occurred. After multivariable adjustment, greater PA was inversely associated with coronary heart disease, stroke (especially ischemic stroke), and total CVD, even in those ≥75 years. Walking pace, distance, and overall walking score, leisure-time activity, and exercise intensity were each associated with lower risk. For example, in comparison with a walking pace <2 mph, those that habitually walked at a pace >3 mph had a lower risk of coronary heart disease (0.50; confidence interval, 0.38-0.67), stroke (0.47; confidence interval, 033-0.66), and CVD (0.50; confidence interval, 0.40-0.62).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>These data provide empirical evidence supporting PA recommendations, in particular, walking, to reduce the incidence of CVD among older adults.</p>
DOI10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.018323
Alternate JournalCirculation
PubMed ID26538582
PubMed Central IDPMC4814318
Grant ListHHSN268200800007C / / PHS HHS / United States
HHSN268201200036C / / PHS HHS / United States
HL080295 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC55222 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85080 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85081 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85082 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85083 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL085710 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01AG023629 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States