Individuals who take up physical activity even later in life enjoy almost similar survival benefits as those who continue with their activity, suggests a study presented on the opening day of the digital European Society Congress (ESC) 2021, which is being held digitally this year.

The meta-analysis included 33,576 patients with coronary heart disease from nine longitudinal cohorts. The follow-up period was for 7.2 years. Depending on their baseline activity status, the study participants were categorised into four groups: inactive over time, active over time, increased activity over time and decreased activity over time. “Increased activity over time” defined individuals who were inactive but increased their activity, while “decreased activity over time” described those individuals who were active but became inactive later on. The activity levels were evaluated for their association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Compared to patients who became inactive, those who increased their activity over time lowered their risk of all-cause death by 50%; the risk was 45% lower in those who had been inactive but became active, those who had been active but became inactive reduced their risk by just 20%.

Evaluation of risk of cardiovascular death found 51% reduced risk among those participants who continued to be active, whereas participants who increased their activity lowered their risk by 27%. No significant difference in cardiovascular mortality was observed between those participants who remained inactive and those who decreased their activity over time.

This study has demonstrated the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle and that increasing physical activity even later in life has survival benefits. On the other hand, failure to maintain an active lifestyle offsets the benefits of physical activity. 

Life style has no retirement

Source: Abstract: Physical activity trajectories are associated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis, ESC, August 24, 2021.