Physical Activity May Decrease Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in People With Metabolic Syndrome

People with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. According to a recent study, even light physical activity performed at least 2 hours per week may help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with metabolic syndrome.

Participants in the study included 3,693 with an average age of 60. 23% of the participants had metabolic syndrome at the beginning of the study. Participants reported their leisure time physical activity as sedentary, light-intensity, moderate-intensity, or high-intensity. They were followed for an average of 20 years and all cardiovascular events were recorded.

Participants with metabolic syndrome who performed light-intensity physical activity, such as walking or riding a bike, for at least 2 hours per week were found to have a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who were sedentary.

Participants with metabolic syndrome who performed moderate to high-intensity physical activity had a 65% reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those who were sedentary. They also had a reduced risk of all-cause mortality compared to participants without metabolic syndrome who were sedentary.

The study was performed by researchers from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences and Karolinska Institutet. It was published online ahead of print on April 10, 2020 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.