Physical functioning is a major component of disability and an important contributor to health-related quality of life. Researchers at the University of Vermont investigated the role of various medical, fitness-related, and psychological factors in the physical functioning of older adults with coronary heart disease (CHD).

They found that people who had had a heart attack had lower physical function scores than those with other CHD diagnoses. Women had lower physical function scores than men, despite similar ages, diagnoses, depression score and existence of other health conditions.

Importantly, aerobic capacity and depression score were the best independent predictors of physical function score. This means, according to the researchers, that exercise training and treatment of depression may have potential for preventing and treating coronary disability in older coronary patients.

Related information: Treatments | Physical activity

Source:  Ades PA, Savage PD, Tischler MD, et al. Determinants of disability in older coronary patients. American Heart Journal, January 2002;143:151-156. (Abs.)