# After 70, Staying Fit for Just One More Year Cut Heart Risk by 40%

*Fitness Does Not Retire: Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Older Adults.*

- **Evidence Level**: Moderate
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: European journal of preventive cardiology
- **Sample Size**: 1,547 older adults aged 70-77 (784 women)
- **Authors**: Midttun S, Dalen H, Lund E, Vesterbekkmo EK, Aksetøy IA, Kaminsky L, Coombes JS, Wisløff U, Stensvold D
- **Published**: 2026-08-30
- **Topics**: cardiorespiratory fitness, heart health, healthy aging
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag450
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42668429/

## Summary

Norwegian adults aged 70 to 77 had their actual oxygen uptake measured, not just guessed from a questionnaire. Over the next decade, the fitter ones had clearly fewer heart attacks, strokes, heart failure cases, and heart deaths. Men above roughly 26 mL/kg/min and women above 22.2 mL/kg/min were in the lower-risk group. Those who stayed fit across one year had 36% (men) and 42% (women) lower risk than those who stayed unfit.

## Practical Takeaway

This study suggests keeping cardio fitness up past age 70 is linked to fewer heart events.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/after-70-staying-fit-for-just-one-more-year-cut-heart-risk-by-40 · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-08-30_