A new study has found a link between strong leg muscles and a reduced risk of heart failure after a heart attack.
Heart failure predominantly occurs after myocardial infarction and develops in approximately 6-9% of people who have had a heart attack. And a new study showed an association between strong quadriceps muscles and a lower risk of death in people with coronary heart disease, writes Samaa.
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Researchers hypothesized and tested that leg strength may be less likely to develop heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. A total of 932 patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction between 2007 and 2020 were included in the study. These patients did not experience heart failure either before admission or during their hospital stay. The mean age of the group was 66, with 81% (753 participants) male.
The researchers took maximum quadriceps strength as a measure of overall leg strength. Patients sitting in a chair were instructed to stretch their quadriceps as far as possible for five seconds. A hand dynamometer was attached to the ankle to record the peak value in kg. The procedure was applied to each leg and the average of the two legs was taken as the reference point.
Power was calculated by body weight divided by quadriceps strength in kg by body weight in kg, then increased 100-fold to obtain a reading in % of body weight. Based on their relative position relative to the median for their gender, patients were designated as having “high” or “low” power.
Median values were 33% of body weight for women and 52% of body weight for men. Among the participants, 451 were categorized as low quad strength and 481 as high quad strength.
The median follow-up period was 4.5 years, during which 67 patients (7.2%) were diagnosed with heart failure. The incidence of heart failure was 10.2 per 1000 person-years in patients with high quadriceps strength and was significantly higher at 22.9 per 1000 person-years in patients with low strength.
Scientists have carefully studied the relationship between quadriceps strength (low versus high) and the subsequent risk of developing heart failure.
Analysis, age, gender, body mass index, previous myocardial infarctions or angina pectoris, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, and Kidney function.
By comparison, higher quad strength levels were associated with a 41% lower chance of developing heart failure.
An additional analysis focused on the relationship between sustained quadriceps strength and heart failure risk. An increase in quadriceps strength for every 5% of body weight was associated with an 11% reduction in heart failure.
The results of this study shed new light on the important role of leg strength, particularly the quadriceps, in heart health. This finding may change the approach to cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack and highlight the importance of leg strength training as a preventative measure against heart failure. This is a powerful reminder that a strong body can help build a strong heart, and the path to heart health can be as simple as keeping your legs in good shape.
Previously Focus He wrote about chest pain. Experts say how to distinguish a heart attack from heartburn.
Important! This article is based on and does not contradict the latest scientific and medical research. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. Be sure to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.