A study found that people with depression or anxiety are twice as likely to experience health benefits from regular exercise.
- Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital tracked the exercise regimens of 50,000 people.
- 150 minutes of exercise per week reduces the risk of a heart attack by 17% overall.
- But for those who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety, it was 22%.
- Scientists say any amount of exercise can improve heart health
According to the study, people who suffer from depression or anxiety are twice as likely to experience health benefits from regular exercise.
The researchers tracked the exercise regimens of more than 50,000 people over the age of 50, a third of whom were diagnosed with the condition.
Overall, those who exercised moderately for 150 minutes a week were 17% less likely to have a heart attack or blocked coronary artery within two years than people who exercised less frequently.
But people who were depressed or anxious benefited the most, seeing a 22% risk reduction compared to 10% for those who had neither.
Depressed and anxious people can suffer from chronic inflammation due to the stress their body is subjected to.
This can lead to hardening of the arteries, putting someone at greater risk of heart problems later on.
But scientists say exercise can help relieve these symptoms by stimulating the release of endorphins, “feel good” hormones that can improve people’s mood and reduce inflammation.
The researchers tracked the exercise regimens of more than 50,000 people over the age of 50, a third of whom were diagnosed with medical conditions. (image)
Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health problems in the UK, affecting about one in twelfth people every week.
It is estimated that a total of 4.8 million Britons live with such conditions, while there are about 22 million in the US.
Chronic stress can increase blood levels of the hormone cortisol, which can lead to heart palpitations and high blood pressure, both risk factors for heart disease.
What are the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
About 7.6 million people live with heart disease in the UK, while more than 18.2 million in the US have the condition.
There are several factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
This includes:
- Smoking;
- stress;
- Alcohol;
- High blood pressure;
- High blood cholesterol;
- lack of physical activity;
- Overweight or obesity;
- Diabetes
- Family history of the disease;
- to be a man;
- To be older.
Source: British Heart Foundation.
In the latest study, to be presented next week at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, scientists pulled data from 50,000 patients from the Massachusetts General Brigham Biobank, with a median age of 59 years.
Of the participants, 4,000—or eight percent of the total—suffered a heart attack, chest pain caused by a blocked artery, or underwent a procedure to open a blocked artery within two years.
The scientists first followed patients who exercised for 150 minutes or more per week, which is the level recommended by the National Health Service.
They then divided the patients into groups—those who were diagnosed with anxiety or depression and those who were not.
They found that people with mental health conditions who did 150 minutes of exercise, including brisk walking, cycling, hiking, or tennis, were 22% less likely to suffer from one of the heart conditions than people with anxiety or depression. diagnosis is less common.
This was more than double the benefit seen in people not suffering from anxiety or depression.
Hadil Zureigat, a cardiovascular disease researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital who led the study, said: “The effect of physical activity on the brain’s response to stress may be especially important for people with stress-related mental illness.”
“This is not to say that exercise is only effective in people with depression or anxiety, but we found that these patients seem to benefit greatly from physical activity for the cardiovascular system.”
She added: “Any amount of exercise is good, especially for those who suffer from depression or anxiety.
“Physical activity will not only help them feel better, but it will also significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Making the transition can be difficult, but once achieved physical activity allows people with these common mental conditions associated with chronic stress to hit two birds with one stone.”