For the first time, research provides actual figures showing the relationship between activity levels and heart attack survival
We all know that exercise is one thing that can protect us from heart disease and heart attacks, but a new study shows that, if you are unfortunate enough to have a heart attack, you are far more likely to survive it if your fitness level is high.
By Jason Matthews
Image Credit: phtographee.eu via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, and an active lifestyle has long been known to reduce the risk. A European team of researchers wanted to determine what level of activity yielded benefits and how much.
The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology, reveals for the first time actual figures showing the relationship between activity levels and heart attack survival.
Data was collected from ten European health organizations on 28,140 people who had heart attacks following a consultation where their activity levels were reported as sedentary, low, moderate, or high. This data included both people with known vascular complaints and those thought to be healthy. Subsequently, the data was adjusted to account for other health issues and individual demographics.
The study concentrated on heart attacks that were instantly fatal or caused death within 28 days of their occurrence. Of the participants, 17.7% died within 28 days of a heart attack, and 62.3% died instantly. Compared to their sedentary counterparts, participants who reported a moderate activity level had a 33% higher survival rate, and those with high levels of activity had a 45% higher survival rate. The difference between sedentary and low activity was statistically inconclusive.
Even light physical activity may be beneficial - Image Credit: XArtProduction via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci
Dr. Kim Wadt Hansen (one of the researchers) stated in a press release that approximately 18% of patients with a heart attack died within 28 days, confirming the severity of this condition. Hansen and his team found an immediate survival advantage of prior physical activity in the setting of a heart attack, a benefit that seemed preserved at 28 days.
Based on their analyses, even a small amount of leisure-time physical activity may, in fact, be helpful against fatal heart attacks, but statistical uncertainty precludes the science team from drawing any firm conclusions on that point.
The combined analysis presents robust support for the recommendations on weekly physical activity in healthy adults stated in the European Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice, particularly as the team used cut-off values for physical activity similar to those actually used in said guidelines.
According to Dr. Hansen, there are various ways to be physically engaged at little or no cost. The research presents yet more evidence for the rewards of exercise.
This study builds on research carried out into the reason why fitter people are more likely to survive heart attacks. A previous study carried out by Dr. Mike Blaha from the John Hopkins University in 2016 found that people with higher MET [metabolic equivalent of a task] scores had an increased number of blood vessels supplying the heart. This allows the blood flow to bypass any blockage, preventing heart muscle damage during and after a heart attack.
If you are interested in a more detailed overview of the research that we talked about in this article, be sure to check out the paper published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, listed below in the further reading section.
Further reading:
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