Becoming more physically active after a heart attack will help you live longer

According to a Swedish study becoming more physically active after a heart attack reduces the risk of death.  The study of 22,227 patients, all of whom had had a heart attack, found that patients who became more physically active after having had a heart attack halved the risk of dying within four years.  The study was presented at EuroPrevent a European Society of Cardiology congress.

”It is well known that the physically active are less likely to have a heart attack and more likely to live longer,” said lead study author Dr Örjan Ekblom, associate professor, Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Stockholm.  “However we did not know the impact of exercise on people after a heart attack.”

After adjusting for age, sex, smoking and clinical factors, compared to patients who were constantly inactive, the risk of death was 37%, 51% and 59% lower in patients in the categories of reduced activity, increased activity and constant activity respectively.  Levels of physical activity were reported 6-10 weeks and 12 months following the heart attack.