People with strong legs are less likely to develop heart failure after a heart attack, according to research presented at Heart Failure 2023, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). This groundbreaking study sheds light on the potential relationship between legs strength and heart health, highlighting a new factor to consider in preventing heart failure.
The Prevalence of Heart Failure:
Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the leading cause of heart failure. It is estimated that around 6-9% of heart attack patients go on to develop this serious condition. Heart failure is characterized by the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. Finding ways to prevent heart failure is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
The Role of Leg Strength:
Previous research has already established a correlation between strong quadriceps and a lower risk of death in patients with coronary artery disease. Building on this knowledge, the current study aimed to investigate whether legs strength is associated with a reduced risk of developing heart failure after acute myocardial infarction.
The Study Design:
The study included 932 patients who were hospitalized between 2007 and 2020 due to acute myocardial infarction. All participants did not have heart failure prior to admission and did not experience heart failure complications during their hospital stay. The majority of the participants were men (81%), with a median age of 66 years.
Measuring Legs Strength:
To assess legs strength, the researchers measured maximal quadriceps strength. Patients were asked to sit on a chair and contract their quadriceps muscles as hard as possible for five seconds. A handheld dynamometer attached to the ankle recorded the maximum value in kilograms. This measurement was performed on both legs, and the average of both values was used for analysis.
Strength Classification:
To account for variations in body weight, the researchers expressed the strength relative to the participants’ body weight. The quadriceps strength in kilograms was divided by the body weight in kilograms and multiplied by 100, resulting in a percentage of body weight value. Based on this calculation, patients were classified as having either high or low leg strength.
Findings and Results:
During an average follow-up period of 4.5 years, 67 patients (7.2%) developed heart failure. The incidence of heart failure was significantly lower in patients with high quadriceps strength compared to those with low strength. The analysis, adjusted for known risk factors, showed that high leg strength was associated with a 41% lower risk of developing heart failure (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35–1.00; p=0.048).
The Continuous Variable Analysis:
Additionally, the researchers analyzed the association between quadriceps strength as a continuous variable and the risk of heart failure. They found that each 5% body weight increment in quadriceps strength was associated with an 11% lower likelihood of developing heart failure. These findings further support the notion that leg strength plays a significant role in heart health.
Implications and Future Research:
The study’s findings highlight the importance of leg strength in reducing the risk of heart failure after a heart attack. Strengthening the leg muscles through exercise and physical activity may have a protective effect on the heart. However, further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and determine the optimal strategies for improving leg strength to prevent heart failure.
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In conclusion, the recent study presented at the Heart Failure 2023 congress has revealed a compelling association between leg strength and the risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack. The findings suggest that individuals with stronger legs are less likely to experience heart failure, emphasizing the importance of leg strength as a potential protective factor for heart health. These results highlight the potential benefits of incorporating exercises and activities that promote leg strength into cardiac rehabilitation programs and lifestyle interventions for individuals at risk of heart failure. Further research is warranted to delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms and explore strategies to optimize leg strength and improve heart health outcomes.
