Cardiovascular medication, physical activity and mortality: cross-sectional population study with ongoing mortality...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality.
• Physical activity is a key modifiable risk factor for CVD.
• The interplay between cardiovascular medication and physical activity levels is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess physical activity levels in adults taking cardiovascular medication.
• To determine if physical activity offers benefits independent of medication use.
• To investigate the association between physical activity and mortality in adults without diagnosed CVD.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional surveys conducted in England and Scotland in 1998 and 2003.
• Household-based interviews with adult participants aged 35 and older.
• Mortality follow-up was conducted over a mean period of 6.6 years.

Main Results:

• 15% of respondents were prescribed cardiovascular drugs; these individuals were less likely to meet physical activity recommendations.
• Increased moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with reduced all-cause and CVD mortality in both medicated and unmedicated groups.
• Hazard ratios for all-cause mortality among those with >=150 min/week MVPA compared to no MVPA were 0.58 (unmedicated) and 0.54 (medicated).

Conclusions:

• Physical activity demonstrates protective effects against premature mortality in both medicated and unmedicated adults.
• Cardiovascular medication use is associated with lower engagement in health-enhancing physical activity.
• Physical activity plays a crucial role in the primary prevention of CVD, complementing medication.