Health profiles and lifestyles of those with cardiomyopathy vs. age-matched controls: a UK Biobank analysis

Cardiomyopathies are diseases of the heart muscle (ICD-10 chapter IX, code I42). This study compared the health profiles of individuals with cardiomyopathy to age- and sex-matched controls in the UK Biobank prospective cohort to better understand health behaviours. Historical advice for patients to avoid exercise may have contributed to earlier heart failure; addressing these outdated perceptions could guide future recommendations to improve outcomes and reduce cardiovascular mortality. Data from the UK Biobank were analysed, including physical activity behaviours, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body composition, hand-grip strength, and lifestyle factors, such as intake of fruit, processed/red meat, oily fish, alcohol and smoking, as well as PC-sitting and TV-viewing time. Linear and logistic regression assessed associations between these exposures and cardiomyopathy, adjusting for age, sex, and deprivation index. The cohort comprised 442 individuals with cardiomyopathy and 173,429 matched controls. Significant differences were noted in age, deprivation index, alcohol intake, BMI, waist and hip circumference, physical activity levels, TV viewing, and sedentary time. Males had higher odds of cardiomyopathy than females (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.04 to 3.05, p<0.0001). Obesity was strongly associated with cardiomyopathy (OR 3.7, 95%CI 2.88 to 4.76, p<0.0001). Sleep risk scores and type of physical activity risk scores were also significantly associated with cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, individuals with cardiomyopathy demonstrated poorer health profiles and more sedentary behaviours than controls. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and updated exercise advice to improve clinical outcomes and reduce cardiovascular mortality in this population.