A simple walking test could predict heart risk after a heart attack

How fast an older patient walks after a heart attack might say a lot about what comes next. A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that a simple physical performance test administered just one month after hospital discharge can reliably predict cardiovascular death or unplanned rehospitalization in older MI survivors over the following year.

The study analyzed 512 patients aged 65 and older who completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) — a test combining gait speed, chair-rise ability, and standing balance — at the start of cardiac rehabilitation. Patients with higher SPPB scores fared significantly better, and those whose scores improved by at least one point during follow-up had even lower risk for adverse events.

By the Numbers

• Patients with higher baseline SPPB scores had a 51% lower risk for cardiovascular death or unplanned hospitalization (HR, 0.51)
• Each one-point increase in SPPB score was linked to a 50% lower risk for the primary outcome (HR, 0.50)
• Patients who improved their SPPB score by ≥1 point in the multidomain rehab group had a 68% lower risk of adverse events (HR, 0.32)

Why it matters: This research supports adding a quick, low-cost walking test to routine post-MI care. It could help clinicians identify high-risk older patients earlier and tailor rehabilitation strategies — potentially saving lives with minimal added burden.