Walking compared with vigorous exercise for the prevention of cardiovascular
events in women.
(N Engl J Med 2002;347:716-25.)
This recent study by Dr. Manson and others in the New England Journal
of Medicine prospectively evaluated a number of physical activities
and sedentary activity in over 70,000 postmenopausal women between 50
and 79 years of age. Their data revealed that both walking and vigorous
exercise were associated with substantial reductions in the incidence
of cardiovascular events among postmenopausal women, regardless of race,
ethnicity, and age or body mass index. They also noticed that sitting
predicts increased cardiovascular risk.
Current guidelines endorse at least 30 minutes of moderately intense
physical activity on most days of the week. This is in contrast to the
previous recommendations of 20 minutes of activity at least 3 times
per week. Unfortunately, at least 75% of Americans have less than the
recommended level of activity. This study revealed that both walking
and vigorous activity was both associated with substantial reductions
in cardiovascular events. The researchers noted that women who either
walked briskly or exercised vigorously at least 2.5 hours per week had
a cardiovascular risk reduction of approximately 30%.
This study is important for a number of reasons. Importantly, it evaluated
postmenopausal women among a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds.
Also, it evaluated the most common form of activity, walking, and compared
it to vigorous exercise. It also evaluated the negative effects of a
sedentary lifestyle on cardiovascular events.
In summary, this study provides good evidence that postmenopausal women
can gain significant cardiovascular risk reduction by walking and vigorous
exercise.
When considering this study, please discuss starting a new exercise
regimen with your health care provider.
