A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has identified an association between light intensity physical activities and a reduced risk of death for individuals diagnosed with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, particularly those in later stages of the condition.
Understanding Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome (CKM)
CKM syndrome is a health condition characterized by a combination of factors including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. It encompasses various components such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, elevated blood glucose, excess weight, or reduced kidney function. Approximately 90% of U.S. adults exhibit at least one component of CKM syndrome. These factors collectively increase the risk of cardiac events, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, more than any single factor alone.
CKM syndrome is categorized into stages from 0 to 4, with higher stages indicating an increased risk for heart disease and stroke:
- Stage 0: Normal weight, blood pressure, lipids, blood sugar, and kidney function.
- Stage 1: Excess weight and/or pre-diabetes.
- Stage 2: Multiple CKM components and/or moderate-to-high risk kidney disease.
- Stage 3: Very high-risk kidney disease, high risk for heart disease or stroke, or subclinical cardiovascular disease.
- Stage 4: Multiple CKM components or chronic kidney disease, combined with a history of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, or peripheral artery disease.
Study Objectives and Methodology
Previous guidelines for managing CKM syndrome typically recommend moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity. However, researchers noted that these recommendations may not be feasible for adults with advanced stages of the condition. This study explored the long-term benefits of lighter activities.
The research utilized data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included health and physical activity information from approximately 7,200 adults. Participant activity levels were measured over several days, up to seven, using accelerometers. Activities were classified as light, moderate, or vigorous. Light physical activity was defined as actions that do not cause breathlessness, such as yoga, casual walking, stretching, and household chores. Participants' CKM syndrome stages were determined based on their health data, including weight, blood pressure, lipids, blood sugar, and kidney function. The study's contributors included Michael Fang, Ph.D., M.H.S., an assistant professor of epidemiology, and Joseph Sartini, B.S.E., a Ph.D. candidate, both from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Key Findings
- Light physical activity demonstrated an association with a lower risk of death in CKM syndrome stages 2, 3, and 4.
- An increase of one hour in daily light physical activity was associated with a 14% to 20% lower risk of death over a 14-year period.
- The association between increased light activity and reduced mortality risk was observed to be more pronounced in higher CKM stages. For instance, increasing light activity from 90 minutes to two hours per day was associated with a 2.2% risk reduction in stage 2 and a 4.2% risk reduction in stage 4.
Implications
These findings suggest that light physical activity may serve as a beneficial intervention for individuals with CKM syndrome, particularly those in later stages.
Limitations of the Study
This study is observational, meaning it identifies associations rather than establishing direct cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, it cannot conclusively determine whether increasing light physical activity directly reduces the risk of death. It is also acknowledged that individuals with more advanced illness might be predisposed to both a higher risk of death and lower levels of light intensity activity.