Hemodynamic gain index and risk of ventricular arrhythmias: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Hemodynamic gain index (HGI), a novel hemodynamic index obtained from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, its specific relationship with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is unknown. We aimed to assess the association of HGI with risk of VAs in a prospective study. Design: Hemodynamic gain index was estimated using heart rate and systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses ascertained in 1945 men aged 42-61 years during CPX from rest to maximum exercise, using the formula: [(Heart ratemax x SBPmax) - (Heart raterest x SBPrest)]/(Heart raterest x SBPrest). Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was measured using respiratory gas exchange analysis. Hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) were estimated for VAs. Results: Over a median follow-up duration of 28.2 years, 75 cases of VA were recorded. In analysis adjusted for established risk factors, a unit (bpm/mmHg) higher HGI was associated with a decreased risk of VA (HR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.95). The results remained consistent on adjustment for lifestyle factors and comorbidities (HR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93). Comparing the top versus bottom tertiles of HGI, the corresponding adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were 0.51 (0.27-0.96) and 0.52 (0.28-0.94), respectively. The associations were attenuated on addition of CRF to the model. HGI improved risk discrimination beyond established risk factors but not CRF. Conclusions: Higher HGI is associated with a reduced risk of VAs in middle-aged and older Caucasian men, but dependent on CRF levels. Furthermore, HGI improves the prediction of the long-term risk for VAs beyond established risk factors but not CRF.

Sauna bathing and mortality risk: unraveling the interaction with systolic blood pressure in a cohort of Finnish men.

Objectives: This cohort study aimed to investigate the potential interplay between systolic blood pressure (SBP), frequency of sauna bathing (FSB), and all-cause mortality risk among Caucasian men. Design: A prospective study was conducted, involving 2575 men aged 42 to 61 years. Baseline assessments included resting blood pressure measurements and self-reported sauna bathing habits. SBP levels were categorized as normal (<140 mmHg) or high (≥140 mmHg), while FSB was classified as low (≤2 sessions/week) or high (3-7 sessions/week). Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression analysis, while adjusting for lifestyle factors, lipids, inflammation, and comorbidities. Results: Over a median follow-up of 27.8 years, 1,618 deaths were recorded. In the adjusted analysis, individuals with high SBP versus low SBP showed a 29% increased all-cause mortality risk (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.43). Similarly, those with low FSB versus high FSB exhibited a 16% elevated mortality risk (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.31). When considering combined effects, participants with high SBP-low FSB had a 47% higher mortality risk (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.24-1.74) compared to those with normal SBP-high FSB. However, no significant association was observed between individuals with high SBP-high FSB and mortality risk (HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.98-1.57). There were potential additive and multiplicative interactions between SBP and sauna bathing concerning mortality risk. Conclusions: This study reveals a potential interplay between SBP, sauna bathing, and mortality risk in Finnish men. Frequent sauna bathing may mitigate the increased mortality risk associated with elevated SBP.

Sex disparities in physical activity domains and hypertension prevalence.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the associations of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and occupational physical activity (OPA) with the prevalence of hypertension, while exploring the sex disparities in these associations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2014 and 2019 (n = 26,534). Hypertension was defined as the use of antihypertensive drugs or systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg. Self-reported physical activity (PA), assessed by the global PA questionnaire, was categorized into three domains: total PA, LTPA and OPA. Each PA domain was classified based on METs-min/wk and intensity. RESULTS: In a multivariable adjusted model, the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the prevalence of hypertension in the active versus inactive group, based on METs, was 0.92 (95% CI 0.85-0.99) for total PA, 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.98) for LTPA and 1.21 (95% CI 1.05-1.38) for OPA. Compared to the inactive group, moderate to vigorous intensity was associated with a lower odds of hypertension for total PA and LTPA (total PA: OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89-1.00 and LTPA: OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.98), but a higher odd for OPA (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.30). Subgroup analyses showed significant evidence of effect modification by sex on the associations of total PA and LTPA (METs and intensity) with hypertension prevalence (p-values for interaction < 0.01); the associations were generally stronger for women. OPA was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension in women, but not in men (p-value for interaction > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of total PA and LTPA were associated with lower prevalence of hypertension in both men and women, with slightly stronger associations for women. However, higher OPA was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension in women. These findings support the PA health paradox hypothesis and highlight the sex disparities in the association between OPA and hypertension prevalence.

The impact of physical activity changes on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in young patients with CHD: a 3-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between changes in physical activity and their impact on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life over a 3-year span in patients with CHD. METHODS: We evaluated 99 young patients with CHD, aged 13-18 years at the outset. Physical activity, health-related quality of life, and exercise capacity were assessed via questionnaires and peak oxygen uptake measurements at baseline and after 3 years; changes in measures were estimated between the two time points and categorised into quartiles. Participants were stratified according to achieved (active) or not-achieved (inactive) recommended levels of physical activity (≥150 minutes/week) at both time points. RESULTS: Despite increases in physical activity, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life over 3 years, the changes were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). However, a positive association was found between physical activity changes and exercise capacity (ß = 0.250, p = 0.040) and health-related quality of life improvements (ß = 0.380, p < 0.001). Those with the most pronounced physical activity increase showed notable exercise capacity (p < 0.001) and health-related quality of life increases (p < 0.001) compared with patients with the largest decline in physical activity. The active-inactive category demonstrated a notable decline in exercise capacity compared to the active-active group, while the inactive-active group showed health-related quality of life improvements. CONCLUSIONS: Over 3 years, increased physical activity was consistently linked to increases in exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with CHD, highlighting the potential of physical activity augmentation as an intervention strategy.

Associations of Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Estimated Remnant Cholesterol and Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Healthy Men.

Remnant cholesterol (RC) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) may contribute to the residual risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with favorable traditional lipid profiles, but its relation with RC and non-HDL-C remains unclear. We analyzed cross-sectional data on 4,613 healthy men (mean age 49 years). CRF was measured using peak oxygen uptake during incremental exercise testing and categorized into quartiles. RC was estimated as total cholesterol minus HDL-C and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and elevated RC was defined as ≥38 mg/100 ml (90 percentile). Non-HDL-C was calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL-C, and high non-HLD-C was defined as ≥190 mg/100 ml. CRF was inversely associated with RC (ß -0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.39 to -0.24) and non-HDL-C (ß -0.34, 95% CI -0.57 to -0.11) after adjustment for several risk factors. Each metabolic equivalent increment in CRF was associated with lower odds of having elevated RC (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.93) and non-HDL-C (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.00) in multivariable analysis. Compared with the bottom quartile, the top quartile of CRF had significantly lower odds of elevated RC (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.88) and non-HDL-C (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.91). In conclusion, higher CRF was independently associated with lower levels of RC and non-HDL-C and lower odds of the prevalence of elevated RC and non-HDL-C in healthy men.

Independent and Joint Associations of Exercise Blood Pressure and Cardiorespiratory Fitness With the Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality.

BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that an exaggerated systolic blood pressure (ESBP) at maximal exercise workload would be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and that high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) attenuates this risk. METHODS: This prospective study was based on the general population sample of 1,481 men (aged 42-61 years) who did not have a history of CVD at baseline and were followed up in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease cohort study. Exercise blood pressure and CRF were measured during cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and an ESBP was defined by a peak systolic blood pressure ≥210 mm Hg and CRF categorized as tertiles and unfit and fit groups. RESULTS: During a 26-year median follow-up, 231 CVD deaths occurred. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, an ESBP was associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.94), while the highest tertile of CRF was associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality (HR 0.64, 0.43-0.95). In the joint association analyses of ESBP and CRF, ≥210 mm Hg-unfit group had a higher risk of CVD mortality (HR 1.70, 1.02-2.83), but also ≥210 mm Hg-fit group had an increased risk of CVD death (HR 1.95, 1.20-3.18) compared with their <210 mm Hg-fit counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an ESBP is independently associated with an increased risk of CVD death, but moderate-to-high levels of CRF does not attenuate CVD mortality risk in those with ESBP.

Inflammation, sauna bathing, and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older Finnish men: a cohort study.

Inflammation and sauna bathing are each related to the risk of all-cause mortality. The interplay between inflammation, sauna bathing and all-cause mortality is not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the separate and joint associations of inflammation (high sensitivity C-reactive protein, hsCRP) and frequency of sauna bathing (FSB) with all-cause mortality in a cohort of Caucasian men. We used the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Study cohort comprising 2575 men aged 42-61 years at baseline. Serum hsCRP was measured using an immunometric assay and sauna bathing habits were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. High sensitivity CRP was categorized as normal and high (≤ 3 and > 3 mg/L, respectively) and FSB as low and high (defined as ≤ 2 and 3-7 sessions/week respectively). A total of 1618 deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 27.8 years. Comparing high vs normal hsCRP levels, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for all-cause mortality was 1.27 (1.13-1.44). Comparing high vs low FSB, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for all-cause mortality was 0.86 (0.76-0.97). Compared with normal hsCRP-low FSB, high hsCRP-low FSB was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality 1.28 (1.12-1.47), with no evidence of an association for high hsCRP-high FSB and all-cause mortality risk 1.06 (0.81-1.40). Positive additive and multiplicative interactions were found between hsCRP and FSB in relation to mortality. In a general Finnish male population, both hsCRP and FSB are each independently associated with all-cause mortality. However, frequent sauna baths appear to offset the increased all-cause mortality risk related to high hsCRP levels.

High Fitness Levels Offset the Increased Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease due to Low Socioeconomic Status: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are each independently associated with chronic kidney disease. The interplay among SES, CRF, and chronic kidney disease is not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the separate and joint associations of SES and CRF with chronic kidney disease risk in a cohort of Caucasian men. METHODS: In 2099 men aged 42-61 years with normal kidney function at baseline, SES was self-reported and CRF was directly measured using a respiratory gas exchange analyzer during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence interval) were estimated for chronic kidney disease. RESULTS: A total of 197 chronic kidney disease events occurred during a median follow-up of 25.8 years. Comparing low versus high SES, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% confidence interval) for chronic kidney disease was 1.55 (1.06-2.25), which remained consistent on further adjustment for CRF 1.53 (1.06-2.22). Comparing high versus low CRF, the multivariable-adjusted HR for chronic kidney disease was 0.66 (0.45-0.96), which persisted on further adjustment for SES 0.67 (0.46-0.97). Compared with high SES-high CRF, low SES-low CRF was associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease 1.88 (1.23-2.87), with no evidence of an association for low SES-high CRF and chronic kidney disease risk 1.32 (0.85-2.05). Positive additive (relative excess risk due to interaction = 0.31) and multiplicative (ratio of HRs = 1.14) interactions were found between SES and CRF in relation to chronic kidney disease risk. CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged and older males, SES and CRF are each independently associated with risk of incident chronic kidney disease. There exists an interplay among SES, CRF and chronic kidney disease risk, with high CRF levels appearing to offset the increased chronic kidney disease risk related to low SES.

Frequent sauna bathing offsets the increased risk of death due to low socioeconomic status: A prospective cohort study of middle-aged and older men.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Low socioeconomic status (SES) and frequent sauna bathing are associated with increased and decreased risk of all-cause mortality, respectively. Whether there is an interplay among SES, sauna bathing and all-cause mortality risk is not known. We aimed to evaluate the separate and joint associations of SES and frequency of sauna bathing (FSB) with all-cause mortality risk in a prospective cohort study. METHODS: We employed the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Study cohort comprising of 2575 men aged 42-61 years at study entry. Self-reported SES and sauna bathing habits were assessed at baseline. Socioeconomic status was categorized as low and high (median cutoff) and FSB as low and high (defined as ≤2 and 3-7 sessions/week, respectively). RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 27.8 years, 1618 deaths occurred. Comparing low vs high SES, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95 % CI) for all-cause mortality was 1.31 (1.18-1.45). Comparing high vs low FSB, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95 % CI) for all-cause mortality was 0.86 (0.76-0.97). Compared with high SES-low FSB, low SES-low FSB was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality 1.35 (1.20-1.51), without significant evidence of an association for low SES-high FSB and all-cause mortality risk 1.07 (0.89-1.29). Positive additive and multiplicative interactions were found between SES and FSB. CONCLUSIONS: There exists an interplay among SES, sauna bathing and all-cause mortality risk in a general Finnish male population. Frequent sauna baths may offset the increased overall mortality risk due to low SES.

No evidence of a prospective relationship between serum zinc and venous thromboembolism in Caucasian men: a cohort study.

Serum zinc has been implicated as an important mediator of haemostasis and thrombosis. However, the nature and magnitude of any potential relationship between serum zinc and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the prospective association between serum zinc and VTE risk. We analyzed data involving 2472 men aged 42-61 years without a history of VTE in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease population-based cohort study, with the assessment of serum zinc concentrations using atomic absorption spectrometry. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for incident VTE were estimated. A total of 166 VTE cases occurred during a median follow-up of 27.1 years. The risk of VTE per 1 standard deviation increase in serum zinc in analysis adjusted for systolic blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking status, histories of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, medication for dyslipidaemia, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and socioeconomic status was (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.86-1.22), which remained similar (HR 1.04; 95% CI 0.87-1.23) following further adjustment for inflammation and history of cancer. Comparing the extreme tertiles of serum zinc, the corresponding adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were 0.92 (0.63-1.36) and 0.94 (0.64-1.39), respectively. Imputed results based on 2682 participants and 176 VTE events were consistent with the observed results. In middle-aged and older Finnish men, serum zinc is not associated with future VTE risk. Other large-scale prospective studies conducted in other populations are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Separate and Joint Associations of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Healthy Vascular Aging With Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Men.

BACKGROUND: Achieving healthy vascular aging (HVA) is important for decelerating age-related cardiovascular disease risk. We evaluated the interplay between HVA, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: We analyzed data on 3722 men who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a health examination program. HVA was defined as blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg without hypertension and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity <1266 cm/s. CRF was directly measured by peak oxygen uptake. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as coronary artery calcification scores of >0 and ≥100 and a mean carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) >75th percentile for each age group as well as >0.8 mm of CIMT. Separate and joint associations of HVA and CRF with subclinical atherosclerosis were evaluated. RESULTS: Each 1 metabolic equivalent increment in CRF was associated with 23% higher odds for having HVA. HVA was associated with lower odds of coronary artery calcification but not CIMT. CRF modified the association between HVA and CIMT>0.8 mm (interaction: P=0.01); HVA was associated with lower odds of CIMT>0.8 mm in fit men with no significant association between HVA and CIMT>0.8 mm in unfit men. Compared with no HVA and being unfit, HVA and being fit was associated with lower odds of subclinical atherosclerosis, but there was no significant association between HVA and being unfit with subclinical atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: HVA and higher CRF are each associated with a lower risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in men. Higher CRF is associated with a higher prevalence of HVA and may modify the association between HVA and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Exercise cardiac power and the risk of heart failure in men: A population-based follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about exercise cardiac power (ECP), defined as the ratio of directly measured maximal oxygen uptake with peak systolic blood pressure during exercise, on heart failure (HF) risk. We examined the association of ECP and the risk of HF. METHODS: This was a population-based cohort study of 2351 men from eastern Finland. The average time to follow-up was 25 years. Participants participated at baseline in an exercise stress test. A total of 313 cases of HF occurred. RESULTS: Men with low ECP (<9.84 mL/mmHg, the lowest quartile) had a 2.37-fold (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.68-3.35, p < 0.0001) hazards ratio of HF as compared with men with high ECP (>13.92 mL/mmHg, the highest quartile), after adjusting for age. Low ECP was associated with a 1.96-fold risk (95%CI: 1.38-2.78, p < 0.001) of HF after additional adjustment for conventional risk factors. After further adjustment for left ventricular hypertrophy, the results hardly changed (hazards ratio = 1.87, 95%CI: 1.31-2.66, p < 0.001). One SD increase in ECP (3.16 mL/mmHg) was associated with a decreased risk of HF by 28% (95%CI: 17%-37%). CONCLUSION: ECP provides a noninvasive and easily available measure from cardiopulmonary exercise tests in predicting HF. However, ECP did not provide additional value over maximal oxygen uptake.

Comparison of the acute effects of ankle bathing versus moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on vascular function in young adults.

We examined the efficacy of ankle bathing versus aerobic exercise to improve vascular function in young adults who were randomized to aerobic exercise (AE) (n = 13, 40%-60% of heart rate reserve), ankle bathing (AB) (n = 15, 43 °C), or a control condition (CON) (n = 14, ankle bathing, 36 °C) for 40 min. Conduit vessel function [brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD)], carotid and femoral artery blood flow and shear rate (SR), and arterial stiffness [carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), augmentation index (AIx@75), ß-stiffness index, and arterial compliance] were evaluated. Compared with CON, AE and AB increased FMD at 30 min and 90 min (interaction: p < 0.05); AB decreased carotid artery blood flow and SR at 30 min, while both AE and AB increased femoral artery blood flow and SR at 30 min and 90 min (interaction: p < 0.05); AE and AB decreased cf-PWV and AIx@75 at 30 min and 90 min (interaction: p < 0.05); and AE improved both carotid and femoral ß-stiffness index and arterial compliance, while AB reduced ß-stiffness index and increased arterial compliance only in the femoral artery (interaction: p < 0.05). These findings suggest that ankle bathing may serve as an alternative strategy for enhancing vascular function. Novelty: We observed similar improvements in conduit vessel function, femoral artery blood flow and shear rate, and arterial stiffness following ankle bathing and acute aerobic exercise in young adults. These findings have identified ankle bathing as a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing vascular function, which may be particularly relevant for those with limited ability to engage in regular aerobic exercise.

Impact of estimated pulse wave velocity and socioeconomic status on the risk of stroke in men: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: High pulse wave velocity (PWV) and low socioeconomic status (SES) are each associated with increased risk of stroke, but clarification of the interplay between PWV, SES and the risk of stroke appears to be warranted to identify vulnerable populations at high risk of stroke. We conducted a prospective study that examined the independent and joint associations of PWV and SES with the risk of stroke in the general population. METHODS: The current study included 2666 men aged 42-61 years, who were enrolled in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Study cohort. Estimated PWV (ePWV), a proxy of carotid-femoral PWV, was calculated from an equation based on age and mean blood pressure. SES was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and classified as tertiles, whereas ePWV was categorized as high (≥10m/s) and low (<10m/s). RESULTS: Individuals with high ePWV had a 48% higher risk of stroke after adjusting for confounding factors, whereas individuals with low SES had a similar 35% increased risk of stroke, compared with those high SES. Results of the joint associations of ePWV and SES with stroke showed high ePWV-high SES and high ePWV-low SES to be each associated with an increased risk of stroke: hazard ratios 1.53, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) (1.12-2.08) and hazard ratio 1.63, 95% CI (1.21-2.20), respectively, but low ePWV-low SES was not associated with a heightened risk of stroke (hazard ratio 1.12, 95% CI 0.87-1.44) compared with the low ePWV-high SES group. CONCLUSION: ePWV and SES are each independently associated with stroke risk. The association between elevated ePWV and the heightened risk of stroke is regardless of low or high SES.

Cardiorespiratory fitness does not offset the increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attributed to smoking: a cohort study.

Though evidence suggests that higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels can offset the adverse effects of other risk factors, it is unknown if CRF offsets the increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to smoking. We aimed to evaluate the combined effects of smoking status and CRF on incident COPD risk using a prospective cohort of 2295 middle-aged and older Finnish men. Peak oxygen uptake, assessed with a respiratory gas exchange analyzer, was used as a measure of CRF. Smoking status was self-reported. CRF was categorised as low and high based on median cutoffs, whereas smoking status was classified into smokers and non-smokers. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios with confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. During 26 years median follow-up, 119 COPD cases were recorded. Smoking increased COPD risk 10.59 (95% CI 6.64-16.88), and high CRF levels decreased COPD risk 0.43 (95% CI 0.25-0.73). Compared with non-smoker-low CRF, smoker-low CRF was associated with an increased COPD risk in multivariable analysis 9.79 (95% CI 5.61-17.08), with attenuated but persisting evidence of an association for smoker-high CRF and COPD risk 6.10 (95% CI 3.22-11.57). An additive interaction was found between smoking status and CRF (RERI = 6.99). Except for CRF and COPD risk, all associations persisted on accounting for mortality as a competing risk event. Despite a wealth of evidence on the ability of high CRF to offset the adverse effects of other risk factors, it appears high CRF levels have only modest attenuating effects on the very strong association between smoking and COPD risk.