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Brisk walking for at least 40 minutes two or three times a week reduced the risk of heart failure by approximately 25% in postmenopausal women, according to data from more that 89,000 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative.
The benefits of walking are well understood, said Somwail Rasla, MD, of Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass., but he and his colleagues focused for the first time on how the speed, frequency, and duration of walking affected health in older women who may be less likely to visit a gym or engage in a formal exercise program.
The researchers followed the women, aged 50-79 years, for approximately 10 years.
Overall, the risk of heart failure was 20%-25% less for women who walked at least twice a week than it was for women who walked less frequently. In addition, women who walked for at least 40 minutes per walk had a 21%-25% lower heart failure risk than did those who walked less than 40 minutes per walk.
Pace mattered as well, Dr. Rasla pointed out. Women walking at an average pace and a fast pace had, respectively, 26% and 38% lower heart failure risk, compared with women who walked at a casual pace.
The researchers measured the women’s energy expenditure using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET), a value calculated using the women’s self-reports of their walking frequency, duration, and speed. The results were similar across different age groups, ethnicities, and baseline body weight, which suggests the findings can be generalized to apply to most women. “I think we could give the same advice [about walking] to women up to age 79,” said Dr. Rasla.
The findings were limited by the use of self-reports, Dr. Rasla noted. However, the results suggest that walking can be a valuable and accessible form of exercise for older women, he said.
The Women’s Health Initiative is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The investigators reported no relevant conflicts of interest.
SOURCE: Rasla S et al. ACC 18, Poster 1315M-03.
Brisk walking for at least 40 minutes two or three times a week reduced the risk of heart failure by approximately 25% in postmenopausal women, according to data from more that 89,000 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative.
The benefits of walking are well understood, said Somwail Rasla, MD, of Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass., but he and his colleagues focused for the first time on how the speed, frequency, and duration of walking affected health in older women who may be less likely to visit a gym or engage in a formal exercise program.
The researchers followed the women, aged 50-79 years, for approximately 10 years.
Overall, the risk of heart failure was 20%-25% less for women who walked at least twice a week than it was for women who walked less frequently. In addition, women who walked for at least 40 minutes per walk had a 21%-25% lower heart failure risk than did those who walked less than 40 minutes per walk.
Pace mattered as well, Dr. Rasla pointed out. Women walking at an average pace and a fast pace had, respectively, 26% and 38% lower heart failure risk, compared with women who walked at a casual pace.
The researchers measured the women’s energy expenditure using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET), a value calculated using the women’s self-reports of their walking frequency, duration, and speed. The results were similar across different age groups, ethnicities, and baseline body weight, which suggests the findings can be generalized to apply to most women. “I think we could give the same advice [about walking] to women up to age 79,” said Dr. Rasla.
The findings were limited by the use of self-reports, Dr. Rasla noted. However, the results suggest that walking can be a valuable and accessible form of exercise for older women, he said.
The Women’s Health Initiative is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The investigators reported no relevant conflicts of interest.
SOURCE: Rasla S et al. ACC 18, Poster 1315M-03.
Brisk walking for at least 40 minutes two or three times a week reduced the risk of heart failure by approximately 25% in postmenopausal women, according to data from more that 89,000 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative.
The benefits of walking are well understood, said Somwail Rasla, MD, of Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass., but he and his colleagues focused for the first time on how the speed, frequency, and duration of walking affected health in older women who may be less likely to visit a gym or engage in a formal exercise program.
The researchers followed the women, aged 50-79 years, for approximately 10 years.
Overall, the risk of heart failure was 20%-25% less for women who walked at least twice a week than it was for women who walked less frequently. In addition, women who walked for at least 40 minutes per walk had a 21%-25% lower heart failure risk than did those who walked less than 40 minutes per walk.
Pace mattered as well, Dr. Rasla pointed out. Women walking at an average pace and a fast pace had, respectively, 26% and 38% lower heart failure risk, compared with women who walked at a casual pace.
The researchers measured the women’s energy expenditure using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET), a value calculated using the women’s self-reports of their walking frequency, duration, and speed. The results were similar across different age groups, ethnicities, and baseline body weight, which suggests the findings can be generalized to apply to most women. “I think we could give the same advice [about walking] to women up to age 79,” said Dr. Rasla.
The findings were limited by the use of self-reports, Dr. Rasla noted. However, the results suggest that walking can be a valuable and accessible form of exercise for older women, he said.
The Women’s Health Initiative is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The investigators reported no relevant conflicts of interest.
SOURCE: Rasla S et al. ACC 18, Poster 1315M-03.
FROM ACC18
Key clinical point: Urge older female patients to walk briskly at least twice a week.
Major finding: Patients with a fast pace had a 38% lower risk of heart failure.
Study details: A long-term, national observational study of 89,270 women.
Disclosures: The Women’s Health Initiative is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The investigators reported no relevant conflicts of interest.
Source: Rasla S et al. ACC 18, Poster 1315M-03.