Cardiovascular disease and physical activity in adult cancer survivors: a nested, retrospective study from the Atlantic PATH cohort

Purpose The study aimed to examine the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and physical activity (PA) levels in cancer survivors (CS). Methods Using a nested, retrospective follow-up design, this study presents the self-reported prevalence of CVD in an Atlantic Canadian population-based cohort of 1526 CS and 6034 age-sex matched, non-cancer controls ranging from 35 to 69 years of age. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the association between CVD and PA. Results Overall, CS were 30% more likely to have ever experienced a CVD event than controls (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 1–1.7, p = .07). Survivors were also significantly more likely to report having hypertension (OR = 1.60; 95% CI 1.03–1.3, p = .02) and diabetes (OR = 1.27; 95% CI 1.03–1.16, p = .02). Compared to controls, CS were significantly less likely to engage in high levels of PA. For survivors, compared to those who were least physically active, the odds of having a CVD risk factor was 35% lower for those who were moderately active (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.48–0.88) and 45% lower in the most highly active group (OR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.4–0.73). For controls, the odds of having a CVD risk factor was 25% lower for those in the moderately active group (OR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.64–0.88) and 30% lower for those in the high active group (OR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.6–0.81). Conclusion Low active survivors appear to be at a high risk of CVD-related comorbidity. Implications for cancer survivors PA is associated with lower CVD-related comorbidity in CS, suggesting that interventions directed at increasing PA should be implemented to improve long-term health outcomes.