A study indicates that physical activity tends to decline years before heart problems emerge, with moderate exercise dropping roughly 12 years prior to a diagnosis. Many mistake this gradual loss of stamina for normal aging, but early detection offers a significant opportunity for preventive measures.
Researchers examined decades-long physical activity data from over 3,000 participants initially enrolled in the CARDIA study launched in 1985-1986. Through repeated assessments, they modeled long-term activity trends, comparing patterns between those who later developed cardiovascular disease and those who remained unaffected.
The findings revealed that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity typically started declining about 12 years prior to a first cardiovascular event. This decline intensified in the two years leading up to diagnosis, marking a critical signal identified by researchers.
Although not all individuals experienced a decline, physical activity generally decreased across all demographic groups from young adulthood to midlife. Given the strong link between physical activity and cardiovascular health, identifying these declines early is crucial to intervene before habits solidify or health begins to worsen.
Maintaining healthy behaviors over time is challenging, even for generally healthy adults, as cardiovascular disease develops over years. Physical activity impacts critical health risk factors. Sustaining consistent activity throughout adulthood may delay or prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease.
A gradual decline in physical activity both mirrors and fuels the biological processes that may lead to heart attacks or strokes. Prioritizing prevention is crucial for cardiovascular health. Further research is needed to better understand why reduced physical activity is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Trajectories of Physical Activity Before and After Cardiovascular Disease Events in CARDIA Participants
