WALKING DOESN’T PREVENT CARDIOVASCULAR DEATH

Regular walking has been shown to prevent disease. However, a new study suggests that it does not ward against premature cardiovascular death. Running, on the other hand, does.

These findings are based on a review of 1,975 men in Wales. At the study’s onset, the men were free of heart disease and aged between 45 and 59 years.

During 10 years of follow-up, 13% of subjects died. More than three quarters of these deaths were attributable to heart disease and stroke.

Among those who died of cardiovascular disease, men in the least active group had the highest premature death rates. After adjusting for age and other crucial risk factors, the heaviest levels of physical activity — such as running, stair climbing and racquet sports — were associated with the lowest rates of death from all causes and heart disease.

But moderate and light levels of regular exercise — such as brisk walking, golf, and bowling — had no consistent impact on death rates from all causes, or specifically from heart disease. The critical factor seemed to be the level of exercise taken, rather than the amount of calories expended.

Heart – April 2003;89:502-6. http://heart.bmjjournals.com/