Slow walking seniors more at risk for cardiovascular disease, report finds

Seniors who walk quickly are less likely to die fromcardiovascular disease than their slower walking peers, a new study finds.

Researchers at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie inParis measured the walking speed of more than 3,200 seniors aged 65 to 85. Overthe next five years, follow-up exams tracked the participants’ healthinformation. Seniors with a slower gait were 44% more likely to die during thestudy and three times as likely to develop cardiovascular disease than thequicker walking seniors, according to the report.

Walking speed has long been an indicator of risk offuture frailty and other adverse health conditions among seniors, researchersnote. This new study shows for the first time a clear link between slowerwalking and cardiovascular disease. The report appears in the Nov 10 onlineedition of BMJ.