Low physical activity responsible for 17 percent of cardiovascular deaths

A recent study investigated the impact of various levels of physical activity on death from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke and on total cardiovascular mortality in people aged 30 years and older. Data on physical activity was obtained from the Argentinian national survey of risk factors in 2013. Numbers of disease-specific deaths in 2010 came from the Ministry of Health in Argentina. Physical activity was categorised by metabolic equivalent tasks per minute per week (MET/minute/week), with 600 MET/min/week being equivalent to 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week (ie 2.5 hours per week).

Guidelines recommend that healthy adults of all ages should spend 2.5 to 5 hours a week on physical activity or aerobic exercise training of at least moderate intensity, or 1 to 2.5 hours a week on vigorous intense exercise.

During 2010 there were 43 796 deaths from cardiovascular disease in the population aged 30 years and above, including 25 142 deaths from IHD and 18 654 deaths from stroke.

The researchers found that engaging in less than 600 MET/min/week (ie the minimum recommended level of physical activity) was responsible for 17% (7 278) of total cardiovascular deaths in Argentina in 2010, of which 3 941 occurred in men and 3 337 in women. Doing less than 600 MET/min/week was responsible for 20% (4 907) of deaths from IHD and 13% (2 371) of stroke deaths.

Dr Poggio said: "We found that low levels of physical activity had a big impact on cardiovascular deaths in Argentina, which suggests that interventions promoting exercise should be a priority. The effects were greater in women of all ages because they exercise less than men."

She continued: "Our analysis suggests that engaging in at least 30 minutes of brisk walking 5 days a week would reduce cardiovascular mortality at any age, especially in women and those younger than 70 years of age. Our findings have public health implications and emphasise the importance of women in particular being more physically active."