Exercise Reduces Risk of Genetic Heart Disease

A U.K. research has revealed that people with a family history of heart disease who exercised more, are less likely to have heart attacks and stroke, as compared to those who are inactive.

Approximately half a million participants aged between 40 to 69 years old and without heart diseases, were recruited for the study and they experienced 20,914 cardiovascular events (heart attacks, strokes, atrial fibrillation and heart failure) over a period of 6 years.

Researchers used a physical activity questionnaire to assess their exercise intake. They also conducted treadmill tests to determine fitness, used hand-held tools to test grip strength and collected genetic data on most of the participants.

Results found that exercise resulted in a lower risk of heart problems. This could be because being physically fit leads to more lean body mass, less fat mass and obesity – leading to less hypertension and diabetes, better utilisation of glucose and insulin, and overall, better metabolic health.

Hence, always keep moving to keep diseases at bay!