Cardiac structure and function and leisure-time physical activity in the elderly: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Adults who engage in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) have a reduced risk of developing heart failure. We hypothesized that high levels of LTPA are associated with diminished adverse age-related changes in cardiac structure and function.

Methods and results

We studied 4342 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study participants free of cardiovascular disease who underwent standardized echocardiography. In a cross-sectional analysis, we related LTPA (poor, intermediate, or ideal) to cardiac structure and function. We also related cumulative average LTPA over 24 years and changes in LTPA categories to echocardiographic measures. Cross-sectional analysis demonstrated that ideal LTPA, compared with poor LTPA, was associated with better diastolic function [prevalence of

SUBMITTER: Hegde SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5008418 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature