Everyone can do it.
A new study suggests that female cancer survivors who engage in more physical activity, such as walking and exercising, have a significantly lower risk of dying from heart disease. The research found that engaging in one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise daily reduced the risk of death from any cause by 40%, while the risk of dying from heart disease was reduced by 60%. Additionally, for every 2,500 extra steps taken per day, the risk of death from heart disease decreased by 34%.
The study, presented at an American Heart Association (AHA) meeting, emphasizes the importance of encouraging cancer survivors to increase their physical activity, reduce sedentary behavior, and take more daily steps to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Eric Hyde, the lead investigator and a research analyst at the University of California-San Diego, stated that these changes could be a feasible approach to prolonging life and improving heart health in cancer survivors.
The AHA recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, with a combination of both being ideal. Cancer survivors, however, face a higher risk of heart disease due to the physical toll of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, making exercise even more crucial.
For the study, nearly 2,500 post-menopausal women aged 63 to 99 were monitored for their physical activity levels using motion-tracking accelerometers. The results showed that women who walked 5,000 to 6,000 steps daily had a 40% lower risk of death from any cause. Those who exercised for at least one hour per day experienced a 40% reduction in the risk of death from any cause and a 60% reduction in heart disease-related death. The benefits were still evident even in women who walked fewer than 5,000 steps per day.
The study also highlighted the dangers of prolonged sitting, finding that every 102 minutes of sitting time increased the risk of death from any cause by 12% and the risk of death from heart disease by 30%. Keith Diaz, an AHA spokesperson and associate professor at Columbia University, noted that prolonged sitting is a significant health risk, especially for cancer survivors, and that these findings underscore the need for more physical activity in daily life.
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