According to new research presented at the Heart Failure 2023 scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology, building muscle strength can have positive benefits for the heart, leading to improved outcomes following a heart attack. The study found that maintaining muscle mass can be associated with a reduced risk of developing heart failure, which can be a complication after a myocardial infarction.
The researchers, who work at the Department of Rehabilitation at Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences in Japan, analyzed the strength of the quadriceps muscles in the fronts of the thighs of 932 patients aged between 57 and 74 who had been hospitalized due to heart attack between 2007 and 2020. The incidence rate of subsequent heart failure was higher among the patients with low quadriceps strength, compared with those with high quadriceps strength. This indicates that strength training involving the quadriceps muscles should be recommended for patients who have experienced a heart attack to minimize the risk of subsequent heart failure.
The researchers also suggest that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation can alter the course of cardiac remodeling, which is the main cause of the onset of heart failure after myocardial infarction. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that skeletal muscle releases myokines, cytokines that have a range of health benefits, including preventing the progression of atherosclerosis and stabilizing blood pressure. This suggests that maintaining skeletal muscle itself could be associated with a reduced risk of developing heart failure, but the detailed mechanism is still unclear.
While this research highlights the importance of regular exercise and maintaining muscle strength in older age, more research is needed to determine why some people may be more affected after a heart attack than others. However, by understanding the association between muscle strength and recovery following cardiovascular disease, healthcare professionals may be able to better target therapies and rehabilitation to meet individual patient needs.
Following a heart attack, there are many steps individuals can take to improve their recovery and minimize the risk of subsequent heart problems. This includes attending follow-up doctor appointments, participating in cardiac rehabilitation, getting support from loved ones or connecting with other heart attack survivors, managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, and taking medications as prescribed. By taking action to improve their heart health, individuals can reduce their risk of further heart complications and enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.