Bruce Soloway, MD Reviewing Yates T et al., Lancet 2013 Dec 20
Every increment of 2000 steps daily lowered CV risk by 8%.
Higher levels of self-reported physical activity have been associated with lower risk for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. But no studies have documented this association when physical activity is measured objectively. In a randomized pharmacotherapy trial (NAVIGATOR trial; NEJM JW Cardiol Mar 14 2010), 9306 patients (age, ≥50) who were at high risk for diabetes and CV disease used pedometers to record their ambulatory activity for 7 consecutive days at the start of the study and again after 1 year on a lifestyle modification program. Researchers now report on the association between ambulatory activity — at baseline and after 1 year — and risk for adverse CV events (CV-related mortality, nonfatal stroke, or myocardial infarction).
During average follow-up of 6 years, CV risk was 10% lower for every increment of 2000 steps daily in baseline activity, and was 8% lower for every increase of 2000 steps daily between the baseline and 1-year measurements. Similarly, every 2000 steps-per-day decrease was associated with an 8% increase in CV risk. These associations were statistically significant, independent of each other, and unaffected by age, sex, body-mass index, and other potential confounders.
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