Physical activity lowers all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality in adults with coronary heart disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Investigated health outcomes and secondary prevention physical activity (PA) adherence in US patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).
• Examined the association between physical activity levels and mortality risk in CHD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the impact of different physical activity frequencies on all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality in US adults with CHD.
• To assess adherence to guideline-based secondary prevention physical activity among CHD patients.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018, including 2252 CHD patients aged 18-85.
• Categorized patients into sedentary, moderate PA, vigorous PA ≤2×/week, and vigorous PA >2×/week groups.
• Employed logistic analysis to assess the relationship between PA levels and mortality outcomes.

Main Results:

• Adequate PA was reported by 47.69% of CHD patients.
• Vigorous PA once or twice weekly (vigorous ≤2×) was associated with the lowest incidence of all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality.
• Patients in the vigorous ≤2× group had significantly lower odds of all-cause (OR 0.32) and cardio-cerebrovascular death (OR 0.43) compared to the sedentary group. Higher frequency vigorous PA did not yield additional benefits.

Conclusions:

• Vigorous physical activity performed once or twice per week is more effective in reducing all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality among US adults with CHD.
• This level of activity surpasses the benefits of no or moderate physical activity for CHD patients.
• Optimal PA for mortality reduction in CHD patients may involve a specific frequency rather than intensity alone.