500 more daily steps associated with 14 percent lower risk for cardiovascular disease event over 3.5 years<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, March 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, every additional 500 daily steps are associated with a 14 percent lower risk for a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event during 3.5 years of follow-up, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention\/Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health 2023 Scientific Sessions, held from Feb. 28 to March 3 in Boston.<\/p>\n
Erin E. Dooley, Ph.D., from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, and colleagues assessed whether more daily steps are associated with a lower risk for proximal CVD events (within 3.5 years) among 452 older adults (aged 70 years or older).<\/p>\n
The researchers found that CVD cumulative incidence was highest among those in the least active step quartile (Q1: <2,077 steps\/day) versus the most active quartile (Q4: \u00e2\u0089\u00a54,453 steps\/day). There was an association observed for lower risk for CVD with every 500 steps\/day (about one-quarter of a mile; hazard ratio, 0.86). Additionally, participants in Q4 had a lower risk for a proximal CVD event (hazard ratio, 0.23) compared with participants in Q1. <\/p>\n
“It’s important to maintain physical activity as we age; however, daily step goals should also be attainable. We were surprised to find that every additional quarter of a mile, or 500 steps, of walking had such a strong benefit to heart health,” Dooley said in a statement. “While we do not want to diminish the importance of higher intensity physical activity, encouraging small increases in the number of daily steps also has significant cardiovascular benefits.”<\/p>\n
Press Release<\/a><\/p>\n