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Cardiovascular Even moderate regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of death
A long-term study shows that already moderate exercise in seniors is sufficient to significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality. According to scientists, the protective effect of physical activities is "dose-dependent".
Cardiovascular mortality reduced by more than 50 percent
Health experts repeatedly warn against lack of exercise. Some experts say that it is even more harmful to the heart than smoking, for example. A long-term study from Finland shows that exercise has positive effects on health.
The Finnish geriatrician Prof. Riitta Antikainen from the University of Oulu reported at a press conference of the European Cardiology Congress (ESC) in Rome that moderate physical activity in people over the age of 65 increases cardiovascular mortality by more than 50 percent and risks acute event reduced by more than 30 percent.
According to a new study, moderate physical activity in people over the age of 65 can lower cardiovascular mortality by more than 50 percent. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com) Prevention of cardiovascular disease
According to a report of the German Society of Cardiology - Cardiovascular Research (DGK) based in Dusseldorf, the evaluation of the more than 12 years of the National FINRISK study with almost 2,500 participants aged 65 to 74 years showed that a higher level of physical activity resulted in better results provided.
As the researcher explained, the importance of physical activity in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in people of working age is well known, but relatively little is known about the effects of regular physical activity on the elderly.
Sport can extend life
In the past, studies have shown that even sports in old age can prolong life. For example, a few years ago, researchers in the journal British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that regular and moderately practiced physical exertion can increase the chances of a lifetime without chronic and physical restrictions seven-fold.
The dose is important
Prof. Antikainen explained that it depends on the dose: "The protective effect of physical leisure activities is dose-dependent, in other words, the more you do, the better. Such activities also have a protective effect when other risk factors for cardiovascular disease are present, for example, high cholesterol levels, "said the expert.
"Physical activity can be more challenging in old age. It is important to have enough safe physical activity to stay healthy after retirement. "
Experts often advise that seniors try many sports to find the one that suits them.
Health-related behavior
The baseline baseline data included answers to questionnaires on physical activity and other health-related behaviors, as well as clinical data (blood pressure, weight and height) and laboratory data including cholesterol.
The study participants were observed until 2013, deaths and their causes were registered as systematically as cardiovascular events by evaluating the hospital discharge registry.
Even everyday physical activities are useful
The physical activity levels were low (reading, watching TV or light chores), moderate (walking, cycling, gardening for at least four hours per week) or high (jogging, skiing, gymnastics, swimming, heavy gardening and intensive sports training for the scientists) at least three hours a week).
The press spokesman of the DGK, Prof. dr. Eckart Fleck summarized: "The study confirms age independent the importance of sufficient physical activity for cardiovascular health. It does not always have to be jogging, even more everyday physical activities make sense. Of course, the extent of the activities should be adapted to the individual health status. "According to the expert, this adjustment can be controlled and monitored, for example by registering the heart rate. (Ad)