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It has been established that resting heart rate is inversely associated with the risk of all-cause mortality. The main ones are cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, being the primary contributors. Physical activity is a crucial factor linked to reduced risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases in particular. However, little was known about whether an active lifestyle accumulated in adulthood has long-term implications. Especially for women whose patterns of activity change over the course of their lives.
Scientists from the University of Queensland investigated the relationship between being active accumulated from early to mid-adulthood and resting heart rate among Australian women at the age of 40.
About the Study
Researchers utilized data from the “From Menarche to Menopause” (M-PreM) study conducted in 2019. This study was carried out on a sample of women born between 1973 and 1978, who were participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH). These women reported their level of activity every three years from their early twenties to mid-forties.
The participants were surveyed every three years, starting from 2000 (aged 22-27) up to 2018 (aged 40-45). Scientists collected data on activity, resting heart rate, and other sociodemographic characteristics, as well as health-related information.
The study aimed to examine how physical activity patterns in women’s early to mid-adulthood relate to their resting heart rate, a key indicator of heart health.
Physical Activity
The study evaluated the total duration of walking as well as moderate and high-intensity exercises over the past week. The volume of physical activity of the participants was calculated as the sum of minutes spent on walking and moderate-intensity activities, plus the duration of high-intensity activity.
The recommended guidelines typically suggest that adults aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or 75 to 150 minutes of high-intensity physical activity per week, or an equivalent combination of both.
How Long-Term Physical Activity Impacts Health
Among women with moderate physical activity levels for 18 years, averaging 350–500 minutes per week, the resting heart rate (RHR) at ages 41-46 was lower than the average RHR in the sample.
The study co-author, Dr. Gregore Iven Milke, explained that a lower RHR means the heart is functioning more efficiently.
Women in their 40s who’d been the most active in young adulthood had a resting heart rate, on average, of around 72 beats per minute (bpm). That’s compared to around 78 bpm for the women who’d been the least active from their 20s to 40s.
Dr Gregore Iven Mielke, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
Milke noted that while the difference may seem minor, it can be crucial for heart health. Previous studies indicated that even a 1 bpm increase in RSS is associated with an elevated risk of mortality.
Conclusion
The researchers believe that their findings suggest regular physical activity, regardless of age, provides cardiovascular benefits for women leading up to menopause.
It shows us that public health initiatives should be promoting an active lifestyle for women in their 20s and 30s, with the positive health impact still being evident later in life.
Dr Gregore Iven Mielke, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
By the way, Brazilian scientists have recently demonstrated the heart-healthy benefits of laughter. So, stay active and make time for fun, even in challenging times.
