TOPLINE:

Family history influenced the effectiveness of physical activity in reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), with benefits being noted at 555 minutes of weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for individuals with a family history and at 445 minutes weekly for those without a family history.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a prospective cohort study to explore the effect of family history on the relationship between physical activity and the risk for CVD.
• This study used data sourced from the UK Biobank and involved 74,715 participants (mean age, 55.2 years) who wore wrist-based accelerometers for a week to measure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity between June 2013 and December 2015.
• CVD was identified using records and death registry data linked to the UK Biobank and comprised coronary heart disease, ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
• Outcomes were assessed over a median follow-up duration of 7.9 years.
• Dose-response associations between physical activity and the risk for CVD were also examined.

TAKEAWAY:

• In individuals with a family history of CVD, an L-shaped association was observed between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and the risk for CVD, with significant reductions seen at 10-1555 weekly minutes of activity; an optimal risk reduction was seen at 555 weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64-0.81).
• For individuals without a family history of CVD, the optimal risk reduction was achieved at 445 weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99).
• Among individuals with a family history of CVD, meeting physical activity guidelines was significantly associated with a reduced risk (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79-0.93), unlike those without such a history.
• The optimal risk reduction for individuals with both parents having a history of CVD was identified at 445 weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57-0.86).

IN PRACTICE:

"[The study] finding highlights that family history substantially modifies the magnitude of MVPA [moderate-to-vigorous physical activity] benefit, and underscores the importance of tailoring physical activity recommendations based on hereditary risk," the authors wrote.

"Our data could help to establish a new criterion for engaging in MVPA by modifying the general recommendations based on family history of CVD, which is an easy to assess and apply approach that would allow tailored preventive strategies," they added.

SOURCE:

This study was led by Ana Polo-López, MSc, Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. It was published online on September 08, 2025, in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

LIMITATIONS:

The observational nature of the study limited causal inferences. Despite adjustments for lifestyle and clinical factors, residual confounding from early-life exposures may have existed. The accelerometer data did not account for stationary exercises, like strength training or yoga, possibly underestimating activity levels. Selection bias may have occurred as participants were likely more health conscious, and the UK Biobank cohort's healthier and less diverse nature may have limited generalisability.

DISCLOSURES:

This study did not receive any specific funding. The authors declared having no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.