Regular Physical Activity Lowers the Chances of Dying From Heart Disease

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Physical activity, cardiovascular risk factors, and mortality among Finnish adults with diabetes, by G. Hu and colleagues. Diabetes Care 28:799-805, 2005.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Type 2 diabetes often leads to cardiovascular (heart) disease, which causes heart attacks and strokes. More than 75% of people with diabetes die from heart disease. People who are obese (seriously overweight), have high blood pressure, or have high cholesterol (a waxy, fat-like substance that builds up in the blood vessels) are more likely to die from heart disease.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

Smoking, a high BMI (a measure of weight in relation to height), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol put people at risk of death from heart disease. The researchers wanted to see if regular physical activity could lower that risk among people with type 2 diabetes.

Who was studied?

A total of 3,708 patients with type 2 diabetes. The patients were from Finland, and their ages ranged from 25 to 74 years.

How was the study done?

In this study, patients filled out a form that asked questions about how physically active they were. Physical activity doesn't necessarily mean an exercise program or working out. It refers to daily routines that boost activity levels, like walking the dog or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. The patients in this study were asked about the types of physical activity they get while working, while going places, and during their free time. The patients also answered questions about whether they smoked, their level of education, and their medical history. Nurses measured the patients’ blood pressure, height, and weight and took blood samples. The researchers then looked at the patients’ medical records for the next 18 years to check on the patients' health and to see if and how they died.

What did the researchers find?

Patients who had higher levels of physical activity had a lower chance of dying from heart disease, regardless of their age, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol level, or smoking habits.

What were the limitations of the study?

The researchers did not have information about the patients' blood glucose levels or the types of drugs they took to treat their diabetes. Both of these things could affect a person's health.

Because of the design of the study, the patients filled out the forms themselves. Sometimes this isn't a very reliable method.

What are the implications of the study?

Patients with type 2 diabetes who are physically active are less likely to die from heart disease than patients who are not physically active. Regular physical activity should be considered an important part of treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Exercise capacity and body composition as predictors of mortality among men with diabetes, by T.S. Church and colleagues. Diabetes Care 27:83–88, 2004.

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