Stay active. Lack of exercise linked to hard-to-treat heart failure | Health - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Stay active. Lack of exercise linked to hard-to-treat heart failure

New York | ByIndo Asian News Service
Feb 28, 2017 12:08 PM IST

Excessive body weight and a sedentary lifestyle is associated with a type of heart failure that is most challenging to treat, says a new study.

A sedentary lifestyle can take a huge toll on your heart. Researchers have found that lack of exercise and excessive weight are strongly associated with a type of heart failure that is very hard to treat.

A new study found a stronger link between low levels of physical activity, high BMI and overall risk of heart failure.(Shutterstock)
A new study found a stronger link between low levels of physical activity, high BMI and overall risk of heart failure.(Shutterstock)

Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to supply enough oxygenated blood to meet the demands of the body.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Previous studies have consistently found an association between low levels of physical activity, high BMI (body mass index), and overall risk of heart failure, but this study shows that the association is more pronounced for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the type of heart failure that is the most challenging to treat,” said the study’s senior author Jarett Berry, associate professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, US.

Including exercise in your daily routine will go a long way in boosting heart health. (Shutterstock)
Including exercise in your daily routine will go a long way in boosting heart health. (Shutterstock)

Heart failure is approximately equally divided between two subtypes – heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HfrEF). Ejection fraction refers to the percentage of the blood that exits the heart with each contraction.

Many treatments have been developed for treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction but there are no evidence-based treatments for the other type. The pooled analysis looked at data from 51,000 participants in three cohort studies, the Women’s Health Initiative, the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), and the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Among the 51,000 participants, there were 3,180 individuals who developed heart failure. Of these, 39% were heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, 29% were heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and 32% had not been classified when the data was gathered.

Many treatments have been developed for treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction but there are no evidence-based treatments for the type linked to high BMI and no exercise. (Shutterstock)
Many treatments have been developed for treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction but there are no evidence-based treatments for the type linked to high BMI and no exercise. (Shutterstock)

The incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was 19% lower for individuals who exercised at recommended levels, showed the findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Similarly, body mass index (BMI) had an inverse relationship with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Higher BMI levels were more strongly associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction than with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.

Oscars 2024: Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On