Light Physical Activities Lower Heart Disease Risk in Seniors

According to a new study conducted on nearly 6,000 older women ages 63 to 99, the risk of developing heart disease may reduce when the number of hours spent doing low-intensity activities such as walking, or gardening is increased.

After a four year follow-up and accounting for factors like age, race, ethnicity, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status and alcohol consumption; women who spent an average of more than 5.6 hours per day doing light activities were 42% less likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease, as compared to those who spent less than 3.9 hours a day in light activities. The more active group was also 22% less likely to develop new cardiovascular disease.

A reduction of a sedentary lifestyle can actually be a pleasant and inexpensive way for the elderly to reduce their cardiovascular disease risk.