악력 떨어지고 걷기 느려진 노인…심혈관질환·사망 위험 높아

Aged individuals with diminished strength and reduced walking ability have been found to face a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality compared to their peers. The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute of Health Research reported this in a study conducted on seniors aged 65 and above.

The research team analyzed data from 2,997 seniors in the National Cardiovascular High-Risk Cohort, as well as data from the National Health Insurance System and the Statistics Agency, to examine the relationship between frailty and cardiovascular disease occurrence and mortality.

Frailty is a condition characterized by a gradual decline in muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical function due to aging. The researchers classified individuals as either frail or not based on whether they had a decline in strength or overall physical performance, or both. The analysis revealed that seniors with functional frailty had a 1.92 times higher risk of cardiovascular disease occurrence and a 1.45 times higher overall mortality risk compared to those without frailty.

When tracking 1,990 participants over a period of 4 years, the researchers found that a newly developed frailty state increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by 1.56 times and mortality risk by 1.67 times compared to those who remained in a non-frail state.

The team noted that men were considered to have low muscle mass if their strength was below 28 kg, while women were considered to have low muscle mass if their strength was below 18 kg. Body performance was evaluated by measuring the time it took for an individual to stand up from a seated position, walk 3 meters, and return to a seated position, with a time of 12 seconds or more considered low.

The researchers concluded that assessing not only muscle loss but also actual muscle function, including strength and body performance, could be a crucial indicator for estimating the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. They emphasized the importance of regular exercise and monitoring muscle strength and mobility changes in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in older adults.