Does physical inactivity increase personalised cardiovascular risk in males and females aged 40-80 years?

Abstract

Background: Various modifiable risk factors have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with physical activity known to provide multiple health benefits, whilst inactivity is linked to increased prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the association between physical activity level and personalised cardiovascular risk, in addition to the association between this risk behaviour and other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Method: Data was collected from 863 patients aged 40-80 years (54% male, aged 62.18 ± 12.35 years) including, age, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, smoking status, treatment for hypertension, presence of diabetes and personalised QRISK score. Results: Inactive patients had a statistically significant higher QRISK than those who were physically active and presented greater prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension and obesity, in addition to negative health behaviours such as smoking. Males presented both statistically significant higher QRISK and prevalence of contributing risk factors. Conclusions: QRISK scores were significantly higher for those reported physically inactive. All other CV risk measures were higher and more prevalent in the inactive populations. All risk factors increased relative risk of the occurrence of high QRISK scores for both genders and males were at increased risk of all negative health behaviours and higher QRISK despite being more active.