Statement Highlights:
- Addressing low levels of physical activity among people in some targeted groups has the potential to improve equity in cardiovascular health.
- Physical activity levels are lower among some population groups known to have higher cardiovascular disease risk, including adults who are older, female, Black, have depression, have disabilities, have lower socioeconomic status or live in rural areas.
- It’s important to improve resources and opportunities to decrease barriers to physical activity. Physical activity initiatives should engage the community and individuals and be culturally appropriate.
- Knowledge and resource gaps to building successful, sustainable physical activity programs for many under-resourced groups need to be addressed.
Newswise — The strength of the heart is maintained through regular physical exercise, and a daily, vigorous walk lasting 20 minutes is crucial. Nevertheless, certain demographics might encounter obstacles that impact the feasibility of engaging in a daily walk. The augmentation of physical activity, especially among individuals with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, has established advantages for heart health and could potentially mitigate inequalities in cardiovascular well-being, as per a recent scientific declaration released today in Circulation, the primary peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. A scientific declaration from the American Heart Association is an authoritative evaluation of present investigations and has the potential to influence forthcoming recommendations.
The recently released statement titled "Enhancing Equality in Promoting Physical Activity for Optimal Cardiovascular Health in Adults" assesses the levels of physical activity among various adult populations. It thoroughly examines approaches to boost physical activity in groups that have limited resources or face a higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular health issues. Additionally, the statement provides recommendations on promoting physical activity in a manner that reduces cardiovascular risks in a fair and equitable manner.
Gerald J. Jerome, Ph.D., FAHA, a volunteer chair of the writing committee for the scientific statement and a professor in the department of kinesiology at Towson University in Towson, Maryland, emphasized the significance of enhancing heart health for everyone. He stated, "Improving heart health for all individuals is crucial." The study revealed a correlation between inadequate heart health and insufficient physical activity among various demographic groups. Recognizing that regular physical activity is an essential factor in achieving optimal heart health, these findings highlight the importance of directing efforts towards implementing physical activity programs in areas where they are most needed.
One of the essential components of Life's Essential 8, the American Heart Association's metric for measuring cardiovascular health, is regular physical activity. Life's Essential 8 encompasses a comprehensive checklist that includes four health factors: blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and body mass index. Additionally, it incorporates four behavioral and lifestyle factors: smoking status, physical activity, sleep quality, and dietary habits. These eight factors have been proven to be effective in preventing and reducing cardiovascular risks.
However, it is disheartening to note that fewer than 25% of American adults manage to meet the physical activity recommendations outlined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These guidelines, which are endorsed by the American Heart Association, advise adults to engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Achieving this goal can be as simple as incorporating a daily brisk walk lasting 20 minutes, bringing individuals closer to meeting the recommended levels of physical activity.
Jerome and the members of the writing committee conducted a thorough examination of the most recent scientific evidence pertaining to physical activity programs aimed at enhancing physical activity levels in targeted populations. The analysis revealed that specific demographic groups with elevated risk factors for cardiovascular disease exhibited lower levels of physical activity. For instance, lower physical activity rates were observed among older adults, females, individuals of Black ethnicity, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing depression, those with lower socioeconomic status, and individuals residing in rural areas or neighborhoods with limited walkability. These findings highlight the need to address these disparities and develop targeted interventions to promote physical activity among these populations.
Attributes of Successful Physical Activity Programs:
- Strategies to increase physical activity should seek community input, engagement and leadership, which may help ensure that barriers are addressed and community needs are met.
- Engaging communities in the design, implementation and evaluation of physical activity programs is an important step towards empowering its residents to improve their heart health through increased physical activity. It also helps to ensure the programs are culturally appropriate.
- Approaches to increasing physical activity should address common barriers, such as cost, lack of access, lack of time, lack of knowledge, as well as barriers specific to the needs of a specific community.
- Increasing physical activity levels to increase health equity requires a team approach, including health care professionals who regularly assess and promote physical activity to all patients.
Once the necessary community supports are established to minimize barriers, the objective is to encourage more individuals to adopt regular physical activity and enhance their heart health. However, Jerome emphasizes that there is still significant work to be done in the long run. He stresses the importance of securing additional research funding to facilitate collaboration between communities and researchers. This collaboration aims to develop captivating and enduring approaches that assist residents in elevating their levels of physical activity. Furthermore, Jerome suggests that policymakers should expand coverage for preventive care and extend support, including assessments and programs that promote physical activity within clinical settings. These measures can contribute to fostering a culture of preventive care and overall well-being.
The American Heart Association strongly advocates for a diverse set of policies aimed at enhancing access to opportunities for physical activity. These policies include initiatives like implementing physical education programs in schools and allocating funding to enhance community walkability. By promoting physical education in schools, children and adolescents are provided with structured opportunities to engage in physical activity, fostering healthier habits from an early age. Additionally, investing in initiatives that improve community walkability, such as creating sidewalks, bike lanes, and parks, can encourage individuals to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. These policy efforts align with the American Heart Association's commitment to promoting physical activity as a means of improving overall cardiovascular health.
The scientific statement discussed in this context was prepared by a dedicated writing group comprising volunteers representing several committees of the American Heart Association. These committees include the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Committee on Physical Activity, the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, the Council on Clinical Cardiology, and the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease. The primary purpose of American Heart Association scientific statements is to raise awareness regarding cardiovascular diseases and stroke-related matters, while also assisting in making well-informed healthcare decisions. These statements outline the current knowledge on a particular subject and identify areas that require further research. It's important to note that while scientific statements help shape the development of guidelines, they do not provide treatment recommendations themselves. The American Heart Association guidelines serve as the official clinical practice recommendations of the association.
Co-authors are Vice Chair Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., FAHA; William R. Boyer, Ph.D.; Eduardo E. Bustamante, Ph.D.; Jacob Kariuki, Ph.D., A.N.P.; Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., M.B.A., FAHA; Amanda E. Paluch, Ph.D.; Damon Swift, Ph.D., FAHA; and Kashica J. Webber-Ritchey, Ph.D., M.H.A., R.N. Authors’ disclosures are listed in the manuscript.
The Association receives funding primarily from individuals. Foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers, and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.
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