A large long-term study from Denmark followed more than 10,000 adults for nearly 30 years to explore whether everyday physical activity affects the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Participants reported how active they were during their leisure time—such as walking, cycling, or exercising—and researchers tracked health outcomes using national records. Over the course of the study, 897 participants experienced sudden cardiac death. Researchers examined how lifestyle factors like activity levels may influence risk.
The results showed that people who were more physically active had a lower risk of sudden cardiac death. Compared with individuals who reported low levels of activity, those who were moderately active had about a 40% lower risk, while those with higher activity levels had about a 50% lower risk. The greatest reduction in risk occurred when people moved from very little activity to moderate activity, suggesting that even modest increases in physical activity may offer meaningful benefits for heart health.
People who were more active in this study tended to have healthier body weight, lower resting heart rates, and more favorable cholesterol levels.
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SOURCE: eClinical Medicine