Modest activity can help reduce heart disease risk: research

Modest activity can help reduce heart disease risk: research

ISLAMABAD: Any level of physical activity can reduce seniors’ risk of heart disease, researchers reported. The 18-year study included more than 24,000 adults ages 39 to 79.

They found a link between physical activity and reduced risk of heart disease in both elderly and middle-aged people.

“Elderly people who were moderately inactive had a 14 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who were completely inactive,” said cardiologist Sangeeta Lachman.

“This suggests that even modest levels of physical activity are beneficial to heart health”.  That’s not a problem, Health news reported.

Seniors should be encouraged to at least do low-intensity physical activities, such as walking, gardening, and housework, she said.

“Given our aging population and the impact of cardiovascular disease on society, a broader array of public health programs are needed to help elderly people engage in any physical activity of any level and avoid being completely sedentary,” Lachman remarked.