An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening bulge in the body's largest artery. While we know many risk factors for this condition, researchers are now looking at how our daily movement patterns might play a role.
By tracking the activity levels of over 78,000 people for about 10 years, researchers found that a lack of clear rhythm in daily activity is linked to a higher risk of developing an aneurysm. Specifically, when the difference between active and resting periods is smaller, or when the timing of activity shifts, the risk of an aneurysm appears to rise.
This study looked at several parts of our rest-activity rhythm, including how much we move during our most active hours. The findings suggest that lower levels of activity amplitude and less distinct rhythms are associated with an increased risk of AAA.
While these patterns are linked to higher risk, the researchers noted that inflammation markers only explained a small part of this connection. The study shows an association rather than a direct cause, but it suggests that monitoring our daily rhythms could eventually help doctors better predict who might be at risk.
