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Exercise improves odds of MI survival
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Individuals who exercised were less likely to die of MI in a dose-dependent association, according to findings from the Copenhagen City Heart Study.
“Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease and mortality,” Eva Prescott, MD, of the department of cardiology at the Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues wrote in the study background. “Mechanisms are partly through beneficial effects on a number of [CV] risk factors, ie, physical activity reduces [BP], improves dyslipidemia, regulates body weight, improves insulin sensitivity and have a plethora of other beneficial effects. Physical activity has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing [HF] and one mechanism may be through ischemic preconditioning.”
Participants (n = 14,223) of the Copenhagen City Heart Study who never had stroke or MI at baseline (1976-1978) were included in the study. Physical activity was assessed at baseline and categorized as sedentary (< 2 hours per week), light (2 to 4 hours per week), moderate (> 4 hours per week or 2 to 4 hours per week of more vigorous activity) and high (> 4 hours per week of regular exercise training or competitive sports).
At follow-up in 2013, 1,664 participants had MI (mean age at MI, 71 years) and 425 of them died immediately.
Among those with MI, the greater the leisure-time physical activity, the less likely for the MI to be fatal (OR for light physical activity vs. sedentary physical activity = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51-0.89; OR for moderate or high physical activity vs. sedentary physical activity = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38-0.74), according to the researchers.
Of those who initially survived MI, 83.4% died during a mean follow-up of 6.9 years. Among MI survivors, mortality during follow-up was not significantly associated with physical activity levels (HR for light activity vs. sedentary = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.05; HR for moderate/high activity vs. sedentary = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.74-1.08).
Of those who initially survived MI, 29.1% developed HF (mean follow-up, 5.6 years), but this risk was not associated with physical activity level.
“Patients who were sedentary were more likely to die when they got a [MI] and patients who did exercise were more likely to survive,” Prescott said in a press release. “One possible explanation is that people who exercise may develop collateral blood vessels in the heart, which ensure the heart continues to get enough blood after blockage. Exercise may also increase levels of chemical substances that improve blood flow and reduce injury to the heart from [MI].” – by Cassie Homer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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