Researchers are, once again, preaching the benefits of physical activity for better health. In a recent study, patients with chronic kidney disease seemed to boost their heart health through sustained exercise, reducing the threat of cardiovascular issues so commonly seen in CKD cases. Kidneys filter the blood of wastes and toxins, allowing them to be expelled through urine. If the kidneys operate at reduced function or fail completely, the patient has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). There is no cure for CKD, except for transplant. It affects 10% to 13% of the adult population.
Those with the condition are at a higher risk of cardiovascular complications and premature death. Guidelines put out by the World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. If done daily, this comes to 7.5 hours a week. But, the results of this study show doubling this number doubles the patients chances of survival as well as a decreased risk of end stage renal disease and cardiovascular issues.
Researchers looked at 4508 patients with CKD between 2004 and 2017, none of whom were on dialysis. Broken up into three groups according to weekly physical activity, patients were given a written assessment using a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey questionnaire. The questionnaire looked at highly active (WHO minimum or more), low active (less than the WHO minimum), or inactive (no activity). Researchers then converted a person’s physical activity type to a metabolic equivalent of task (MET). Follow-ups were carried out every 3 months.
For this study, researchers looked at the association between physical activity and adverse outcomes of CKD. Additionally, they factored in adjustments such as age, sex, primary renal diseases, smoking, comorbidities, body mass index, blood pressure and medications.
They found the group which did exercise had a 25% lower risk of death from all causes in addition to end stage renal disease. The highly active group had a 38% lower risk of death when excluding end stage renal disease. Those who became less active saw an increased risk for all causes mortality.
Researchers recommended patients with CKD not exceeding twice the minimum due to increased risk of heart-related problems. Researchers say the danger here is likely due to plague build up in the arteries. For more of the latest kidney health news, be sure to watch our YouTube channel.
