Sit less and move more after a heart attack

After experiencing a cardiac event, many individuals tend to spend more time sedentary, which can increase their risk of future heart problems. A study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes highlights how small changes, like replacing just 30 minutes of sedentary time with more activity or sleep, can significantly reduce this risk.

 

The US study examined health, sleep and physical activity data from 609 participants aged 21 to 96, all of whom were treated for a heart attack or chest pain. Of them, 50 experienced another cardiac event or died within a year of being discharged from the hospital.

 

The least active participants, who averaged more than 14 hours of sedentary behaviour daily, were 2.58 times more likely to experience another cardiac event, such as a heart attack, surgery to treat heart issues, hospitalisation or death, within the following year.

 

Replacing just 30 minutes of sedentary time with light-intensity physical activity each day reduced the risk of another cardiovascular event or death by 50 per cent. Engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for the same amount of time daily reduced the risk by 61 per cent. Additionally, replacing sedentary time with an extra 30 minutes of sleep lowered the risk of adverse cardiovascular events or death by 14 per cent.

 

“Our study indicates that one doesn’t have to start running marathons after a cardiovascular event to see benefits,” the researchers noted. “Sitting less and moving or sleeping a little more can make a real difference.”

Health