Latest news with #JAMACardiology
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Study finds heart trouble can start a decade before cholesterol or blood pressure raise alarms
Imagine you're cruising through your 20s and 30s, enjoying life, maybe hitting the gym or walking the dog. Then, without a dramatic event, your energy starts to dip. You move less, sleep more, skip workouts more often—not because you're lazy, but because life gets busy, health shifts, or routines change. This downward trend isn't just a sign of ageing—it might be an early whisper from your heart. A recent study in JAMA Cardiology has surfaced this subtle red flag: people who later developed heart-related conditions, like heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure, actually showed a dip in their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) around 12 years before their diagnosis. That's more than a decade of downshifting before things got serious. Here's what they found: across more than 3,000 adults tracked from their mid-20s into late middle-age, physical activity naturally tapered off over time. That's kinda expected but those who eventually ended up with cardiovascular disease (CVD) experienced a sharper, earlier drop in activity, especially about two years before the actual diagnosis. Let's pause on that: this decline started way before any red flags in your cholesterol or blood pressure, before you knew something was off. It's like the heart sending a whisper, not a shout. And that gives us a huge window to act, to course-correct—and maybe even stop things from getting worse. But there's more to the story. The study also unpacked how this trend varies across different groups. That's a big red flag pointing at inequities in opportunity, support, access, things like safe places to exercise, affordable options, flexible schedules—all the real-world stuff that shouldn't be overlooked. Heart disease is still the big boss of health problems in the US, and not in a good way Heart diseases are the leading cause of death for both men and women, claiming about 1 in 5 lives each year. Millions of Americans are walking around with risk factors, some they know about, some they don't. High blood pressure? That's more than 120 million adults. High cholesterol? Over 90 million. And then there's diabetes, obesity, smoking, stress, and sitting way too much. What's sneaky is how common it all is. You can be in your 40s, feeling 'fine,' and still have silent plaque building in your arteries. Lifestyle plays a massive role, processed food, too much salt and sugar, and not enough daily movement are basically an open invitation to heart trouble. The good news? Most of these risks can be lowered. Eat better, move more, keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check, and quit smoking if you do. The heart might be complicated, but it also responds fast to healthier choices. In other words, you've got more control over your heart health than you might think—so start taking care of it now, not when the first scare hits. So what's the takeaway? Let's break it down: Physical activity as a canary in the coal mine When your movement starts tapering, especially consistently and long term, it might not be just busy life. It could be an early signal of strain on your cardiovascular system. And studying that decline gives us a huge head start to intervene. Keep moving, always Don't wait for a crisis. Starting good movement habits early isn't just about losing weight or staying fit, it's about keeping your heart talking to you softly, not screaming when it's too late. Tailored support matters Recognizing that not everyone has the same chances to stay active means we need targeted help, especially for those groups hit hardest: think community-friendly parks, local affordable classes, supportive healthcare advice that's tailored, not generic. Recovery isn't optional Once someone is diagnosed, getting back to movement, even slowly, is critical. Post-heart-event life doesn't mean sitting on the couch indefinitely. Unfortunately, the study found most people stayed below recommended activity levels even after a diagnosis Think of this like screening, not just with blood tests, but with lifestyle checks. If doctors, communities, and people start paying attention to when your activity starts to drop, that could become a real, actionable early warning sign. In short, the heart has a way of speaking quietly before it shouts. That gradual slowdown in your daily energy or activity? It might be worth listening to. Let's keep our bodies moving, not just for now, but for decades to come.
Economic Times
15 hours ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Heart attack clues start about 10 years earlier, warns CMC Vellore-trained doctor. And most people miss them
Synopsis Research shows that signs of an impending heart attack can start nearly ten years before the event, often going unnoticed. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist trained at CMC Vellore, highlights that a steady decline in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity begins about 12 years prior to cardiovascular disease diagnosis, with a sharper drop two years before. Studies, including the CARDIA research published in JAMA Cardiology, confirm these findings and emphasize the importance of maintaining regular physical activity throughout adulthood to reduce heart disease risk and support recovery after cardiac events. Heart Disease Clues Start Years in Advance — Most People Miss Them Heart attacks often catch people by surprise, but emerging evidence shows that warning signs can start nearly ten years before the event. Many individuals miss these early indicators because they are subtle and develop gradually over time. Declining physical activity, in particular, has been identified as a key early clue that signals the risk of future cardiovascular problems. This finding comes from experts, including Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist trained at CMC Vellore and currently practising at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad. Dr. Kumar points out in an X post that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)—activities like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming—begins to fall around 12 years before cardiovascular disease is diagnosed. While some reduction in physical activity is normal with age, the decline is much sharper and more significant in those who later develop heart disease, especially in the two years before diagnosis. This pattern suggests that a steady drop in physical activity is more than a natural part of aging; it can be an early sign of underlying heart problems. — hyderabaddoctor (@hyderabaddoctor) The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, published in JAMA Cardiology, echoes these findings. Researchers followed participants from young adulthood to midlife and observed that those who eventually suffered cardiovascular events showed a marked and steady decline in physical activity starting about 12 years before the event, with a faster drop in the last two years. The study also revealed that Black women had the lowest activity levels throughout adulthood and faced greater risks after cardiovascular incidents. Experts emphasize maintaining regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 150 minutes weekly throughout life. Dr. Kumar advises that waiting for a heart event before becoming active is too late. Instead, building and sustaining healthy activity habits early on is crucial to reducing risk. After any heart-related episode, gradual resumption of physical activity with medical guidance supports recovery and long-term heart health. Consistent physical activity remains the most effective way to prevent heart disease and improve outcomes after a cardiac event. Recognizing early clues like declining activity can prompt timely medical attention. Staying active throughout adulthood is essential for protecting heart health over a lifetime.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Heart attack clues start about 10 years earlier, warns CMC Vellore-trained doctor. And most people miss them
Early Decline in Physical Activity as a Red Flag — hyderabaddoctor (@hyderabaddoctor) Importance of Sustained Physical Activity Heart attacks often catch people by surprise, but emerging evidence shows that warning signs can start nearly ten years before the event. Many individuals miss these early indicators because they are subtle and develop gradually over time. Declining physical activity, in particular, has been identified as a key early clue that signals the risk of future cardiovascular finding comes from experts, including Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist trained at CMC Vellore and currently practising at Apollo Hospitals in Kumar points out in an X post that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)—activities like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming—begins to fall around 12 years before cardiovascular disease is diagnosed. While some reduction in physical activity is normal with age, the decline is much sharper and more significant in those who later develop heart disease, especially in the two years before pattern suggests that a steady drop in physical activity is more than a natural part of aging; it can be an early sign of underlying heart Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, published in JAMA Cardiology, echoes these findings. Researchers followed participants from young adulthood to midlife and observed that those who eventually suffered cardiovascular events showed a marked and steady decline in physical activity starting about 12 years before the event, with a faster drop in the last two study also revealed that Black women had the lowest activity levels throughout adulthood and faced greater risks after cardiovascular emphasize maintaining regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 150 minutes weekly throughout life. Dr. Kumar advises that waiting for a heart event before becoming active is too late. Instead, building and sustaining healthy activity habits early on is crucial to reducing risk. After any heart-related episode, gradual resumption of physical activity with medical guidance supports recovery and long-term heart physical activity remains the most effective way to prevent heart disease and improve outcomes after a cardiac event. Recognizing early clues like declining activity can prompt timely medical attention. Staying active throughout adulthood is essential for protecting heart health over a lifetime.
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Your birth certificate says 45 but your heart may be 55: Study shows how Americans' hearts are ageing faster than them
Your heart may be ageing faster than your birth certificate suggests, and for many Americans, especially those with lower income or education, that age gap is alarmingly wide. According to a study published in JAMA Cardiology on July 30, 2025, the average American's cardiovascular system functions years older than their actual age, about four years older for women and seven years older for men. (Also read: Cardiologist explains how a simple blood test can predict heart attack risk years in advance: 'Before symptoms appear…' ) New 'risk age' concept highlights alarming heart health gaps among low-income adults. (Shutterstock) What is 'risk age' and why it matters The study, based on data from over 14,000 adults, introduces a new concept called 'risk age', a way of communicating heart disease risk not through percentages, but by comparing a person's heart to that of someone in perfect cardiovascular health. Study reveals that many Americans have hearts that function years older than their actual age. (Pixabay) Researchers found striking disparities based on socioeconomic status. Adults with only a high school education or less showed significantly older heart ages, up to 10 years older in some cases. Income mattered even more: lower-income men had hearts ageing more than 8 years ahead of their age, and nearly 1 in 3 had heart ages 10+ years older. Impact of education, income and race on heart ageing Non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest gaps, especially men, whose hearts aged an average of 8.5 years beyond their chronological age. Hispanic and Asian adults also showed disparities, but Asian women had the smallest gap, less than three years. Instead of saying a patient has a 15 percent risk of heart disease, doctors can now say their heart functions like someone a decade older. This 'risk age' method may help younger adults understand their health risks more clearly and encourage better prevention efforts. While individual choices matter, the research highlights how education and income levels shape heart health deeply. The findings call for not just lifestyle changes, but systemic solutions to close the cardiovascular health gap in America. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
NDTV
01-08-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Is Your Heart Ageing Faster Than You? Here's How To Find Out Your "Heart Age"
Your heart may be older than you are, new research suggests. A study published Wednesday in JAMA Cardiology found that many adults, especially in the United States, have a "heart age" that is several years older than their actual age. Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine noted that this age gap is wider in men than in women. To help people assess their own cardiac health, the team developed a free online tool, called the PREVENT Risk Age Calculator, to calculate the heart age. According to Fox News, the tool uses information about an individual's health, such as their cholesterol levels, blood pressure, BMI, medications, smoking habits and diabetes status to come up with their estimated risk for cardiovascular disease and heart failure. The risk level is provided as an age rather than a percentage. "Heart age, or PREVENT age, may be particularly useful for patients and clinicians and be more effective in preventing heart disease," senior author Dr Sadiya Khan, the Magerstadt professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who led the development of the PREVENT equations, told Fox News Digital. "It translates complex information about the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure over the next 10 years into a number that is easier to understand and compare with one we are all familiar with - your actual age," he added. With the tool, the researchers aim to help doctors and patients discuss heart disease risk more effectively in a bid to ensure the right therapies are used to prevent heart attack, stroke or heart failure events. Researchers put their heart age tool to the test using data from a nationally representative sample of more than 14,000 people ages 30 to 79. No one in the sample had a history of cardiovascular disease. The team then used the health data of the participants to calculate their heart age and compare that to their actual chronological ages. They found that, for many in the sample, the risk age of their heart was greater than their chronological age. Women had an average heart age of 55.4, nearly four years higher than their average chronological age of 51.3. Men, on the other hand, had an average heart age of 56.7, seven years higher than their chronological age of 49.7. While "it's probably not that meaningful if your age is off by one or two years," Dr Khan says, the authors recommend getting concerned if the gap is five years or more. "We hope this new heart age calculator will help support discussions about prevention and ultimately improve health for all people," he added. However, researchers said that there is one limitation of the study. "The definition of optimal risk may influence the calculation of PREVENT risk age," they wrote, adding, "Alternatively, population-based percentiles of risk can provide a complementary approach to communicating risk, but these are influenced by suboptimal population health." "This type of tool needs to be tested widely to determine if it is more readily understood," Dr Khan said.
