CVD Events Often Preceded by Declining Physical Activity
In a recent study, researchers identified a worrisome trend: People tend to become less physically active in the decade or more leading up to a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease (CVD) event. They reviewed data from 3,068 adults (average age about 25) participating in the CARDIA study, all of whom completed up to 10 assessments of their level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over a follow-up period of up to 40 years. Among the study population, the researchers identified 236 CVD cases (defined as coronary artery disease, stroke or heart failure) and compared those participants to a control group of healthy individuals. Those who developed CVD began reducing their physical activity level about 12 years before their diagnosis, and the steepest declines occurred two years before their incidents, the study found. Additionally, compared with the CVD-free control group, those with CVD remained less active after their CVD event (JAMA Cardiology, online July 23, 2025).
