Can more exercise prevent heart attacks?

Quoting from a study by the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, HealthDay News reports that being physically fit can help prevent heart attacks and increase survival in people with stable coronary artery disease.

This was true whether or not the patients underwent a procedure to open blocked heart arteries.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 9,800 adults with coronary artery disease who underwent a treadmill stress test. They were also followed for 11 years to see if they suffered a heart attack, had undergone a procedure to open blocked heart arteries or had died from any cause.

"In our study, the patients who were most fit had a 75 percent lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who were least fit. This was true regardless of whether the patient had previous stenting or bypass surgery to open up any blocked arteries," study author Rupert Hung, a Hopkins medical student.

Although the study found an association between greater exercise capacity and reduced risk of complications from heart disease, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship. The findings highlight the importance of exercise and fitness for people with coronary artery disease, according to the researchers.

At Assisting Hands, our home aides, trained by two physical therapists, can help keep home-bound seniors with heart problems stay active to reduce a potential heart attack.   Ask us about our preventive health programs.    

Richard Ueberfluss, PT

www.assistinghands.com/naperville