October 14, 2004 – Twelve Months of Stationary Cycling Were More Effective Than Vascular Surgery at Preventing Heart Attack in Men With Atherosclerosis Study Finds1 published in Circulation.
German cardiologists implanted a small metal spring (which keeps the arteries open) in 51 men, and 50 others cycled 20 minutes daily. The participants in this study were over the age of 70 and their arteries were at least 75% blocked.
One year later, 88% of those who had cycled had no heart attacks or other health problems related to atherosclerosis. This was the case for only 70% of patients who underwent angioplasty. The choice of intervention for each participant was made at random.
The authors consider these results to be encouraging in more than one respect.
Previous studies have shown that angioplasty sometimes relieves relief more quickly than other types of intervention. According to the authors, this benefit must now be evaluated taking into account the risks inherent in angioplasty over a long period.
They also point out that angioplasty always only acts on a specific section of the arterial system, while physical exercise can have a beneficial effect on all the arteries. For the researchers, this is an additional argument to convince those working in cardiac medicine to include intensive physical activity as a complementary therapy, if not a replacement, to angioplasty.
In addition to being more efficient, cycling has been shown to be less expensive than angioplasty. The exercise program, as followed in this study, could be achieved for almost half the cost of the surgery and associated medical follow-up. An asset that the authors wanted to include in their study.
Marie france Coutu – PasseportSanté.net
According to L’actualité
1. Hambrecht R, Walther C, Mobius-Winkler S, Gielen S, Linke A, Conradi K, Erbs S, Kluge R, Kendziorra K, Sabri O, Sick P, Schuler G. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty compared with exercise training in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a randomized trial, Circulation. 2004; 109 (11): 1371-8.
