The analysis reveals a 14% drop in cardiovascular risk in these elderly participants, per 500 daily steps. In addition, vs adults of the same age who take less than 2,000 steps per day, those who take 4,500 per day, benefit from a 77% reduction in the risk of a cardiovascular event. Thus: about 3.5% of participants taking about 4,500 steps per day suffered a cardiovascular event vs 11.5% of those taking less than 2,000 steps per day, during the 3.5-year follow-up period.
500 extra steps is 14% less cardiovascular risk
While walking is one of the recommended activities in old age, step count is also an easy and reliable marker to measure physical activity, said lead author Erin E. Dooley, professor of epidemiology at the Birmingham School of Public Health at the University of Alabama. The author nevertheless regrets that most studies have focused on daily objectives of 10,000 steps or more, which are difficult to achieve for older people.
The study followed 15,792 participants in the ARIC cohort (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) and assessed the association between daily step count and cardiovascular disease. The researchers then analyzed more precisely the health data of 452 participants, aged 78 on average, 59% of them women and equipped with an accelerometer measuring their daily steps. The analysis finds that:
- in these participants aged 78 and over, the average number of steps is about 3,500 per day;
- during the 3.5-year follow-up period, 7.5% of participants experienced a cardiovascular event, such as coronary artery disease, stroke, or heart failure;
- vs those who take less than 2,000 steps per day, participants who take around 4,500 steps per day have a 77% reduced risk of a cardiovascular event;
- nearly 12% of participants who take less than 2,000 steps per day have a cardiovascular event vs. 3.5% of participants who walk around 4,500 steps per day;
- each additional 500 daily steps is associated with a 14% reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Maintaining physical activity even in old age is important, however, it’s about adjusting the daily goals so that they remain achievable. The study shows, however, that “a little extra” of 500 more steps per day already provides a significant benefit for heart health.
It remains for physicians to encourage these small increases in daily step counts in their older patients. And, beyond walking and exercise, the other factors of a lifestyle are just as important, whether it is adherence to a varied and balanced diet, the absence of smoking, good sleep habits, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.