Exercise Key to Combating Cardiovascular Risks as Global Population Ages
July 30, 2025
As the global population ages, projections indicate that by 2030, one-sixth of individuals will be 60 or older, which raises concerns about increased health-related financial strains.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, with ageing significantly heightening the risks of morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.
Sedentary lifestyles, which impact nearly one-third of adults globally, are linked to a 63% increased likelihood of developing CVDs.
To combat these risks, the article emphasizes the necessity of precise exercise prescriptions for older adults, recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise weekly, alongside strength training.
Engaging in regular physical activity can dramatically enhance cardiovascular health, with studies showing a reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates by 30% to 40% among active individuals.
Exercise promotes healthy cardiovascular ageing by lowering risk factors, enhancing structural remodeling, improving mitochondrial function, and inducing beneficial epigenetic modifications.
Moreover, exerkines—substances released during exercise—play a crucial role in facilitating communication between the cardiovascular system and other tissues, contributing to the protective effects of exercise against cardiovascular ageing.
Despite the recognized benefits of exercise, there remain gaps in direct mechanistic evidence linking physical activity to healthy cardiovascular ageing, indicating a need for further research in this area.
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Exercise as elixir to combat cardiovascular ageing