A recent study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Vienna, Austria, has found a clear association between physical activity and the risk of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and no previous cardiovascular disease. The study, which analyzed data from over 11,000 participants, found that higher levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of MACE and all-cause mortality.
The Study’s Findings
The study categorized participants into three groups based on their self-reported physical activity: sedentary, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The results showed that participants who engaged in light physical activity and MVPA had a 23% and 28% lower risk of MACE, respectively, compared to sedentary participants. Additionally, light physical activity and MVPA were associated with a 27% and 33% lower risk of all-cause mortality, respectively.
The Importance of Physical Activity
The study’s findings highlight the importance of physical activity for people with type 2 diabetes. Even light physical activity was found to reduce the risk of serious cardiac events and all-cause mortality, independently of classical cardiovascular disease risk factors. This suggests that incorporating physical activity into one’s lifestyle can have significant health benefits, even for those who may not be able to engage in high-intensity exercise.
Implications for Public Health
The study’s findings have important implications for public health. They suggest that promoting physical activity among people with type 2 diabetes can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. Healthcare providers can use these findings to counsel patients on the importance of physical activity and encourage them to incorporate it into their lifestyle.
In conclusion, the study provides evidence that physical activity is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and MACE in people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and no previous cardiovascular disease. The findings highlight the importance of promoting physical activity among people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that even light physical activity can have significant health benefits. By incorporating physical activity into their lifestyle, people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality.