Light physical activity, including walking and household chores, is associated with a significantly lower risk of death for adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study found that a one-hour increase in daily light activity was linked to a 14% to 20% reduction in mortality risk over 14 years, with the most pronounced benefits observed in individuals with advanced stages of the syndrome.
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome encompasses conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity, affecting nearly 90% of U.S. adults. The syndrome progresses through stages 0 to 4, with higher stages indicating greater risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. While moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity is typically recommended in general physical activity guidelines, this level may not be feasible for those with advanced CKM syndrome, making light activity a critical alternative.
Researchers analyzed data from approximately 7,200 adults in the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, using accelerometers to measure activity levels. Light physical activity was defined as activities that do not cause breathlessness, such as yoga, casual walking, stretching, and household chores. The study compared activity duration across CKM stages, finding that increasing light activity from 90 minutes to two hours daily was associated with a 2.2% risk reduction in stage 2 and a 4.2% reduction in stage 4.
"Light physical activity is an overlooked treatment tool that can help improve heart health for people with CKM syndrome," said study lead author Joseph Sartini, a Ph.D. candidate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "For those in later CKM syndrome stages, the potential health benefits of light activity are substantial." The findings highlight that light activity, which is the most common level of activity, may provide meaningful health benefits, especially for individuals in CKM stages 2 and above.
Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., a volunteer with the American Heart Association, noted that research on light-intensity activities is limited compared to more intense physical activity. "Light intensity activities provide a great opportunity to promote energy expenditure, movement, and circulation—all healthy physiological processes that we assume are related to better health," said Gibbs, who was not involved in the study. The American Heart Association provides additional financial information here.
The study's observational nature means it can only indicate associations, not cause and effect, and it is possible that individuals with advanced illness were predisposed to higher mortality risk and less activity. However, the research underscores the importance of light physical activity as a practical strategy for improving survival in a population where traditional exercise recommendations may be challenging to follow.
