Health & Medicine
Gardening may Help Reduce Risk of Heart Attack among Seniors
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Oct 29, 2013 12:42 PM EDT
New research from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences shows that gardening can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
According to the American Heart Association, estimates show that a 45-year-old male risks developing CVD at 67 percent, while women's chances are almost 1 in 2.
In the United States alone, Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately one-third of all deaths, taking a huge toll on families and the economy. In fact, it's estimated that 935,000 heart attacks and 795,000 strokes occur each year and the CVD costs are estimated to be $444 billion annually.
Researchers monitored the cardiovascular health of nearly 4,000 men and women aged 60 for 12.5 years. Lab tests that were associated with heart attack and stroke risk, including cholesterol levels, blood sugar and blood clotting factors were measured in order to complete physical examinations. Participants were also asked to report regarding lifestyle behaviors, including diet, daily physical activity, exercise, smoking and alcohol intake at the beginning of the study.
Researchers observed those who were most physically active and found that they had reduced their risk of heart attack and stroke by 27 percent, with a risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 30 percent when compared to less-active participants.
Interestingly enough, physical activity didn't have to be formal exercise in the gym. It could actually come from general active daily chores, including gardening, car maintenance and other functions. Many of these things may seem rather small but can be particularly important as some individuals over the age of 60 choose not to exercise at all.
What do you think?
More information regarding the study can be found via the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
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First Posted: Oct 29, 2013 12:42 PM EDT
New research from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences shows that gardening can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
According to the American Heart Association, estimates show that a 45-year-old male risks developing CVD at 67 percent, while women's chances are almost 1 in 2.
In the United States alone, Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately one-third of all deaths, taking a huge toll on families and the economy. In fact, it's estimated that 935,000 heart attacks and 795,000 strokes occur each year and the CVD costs are estimated to be $444 billion annually.
Researchers monitored the cardiovascular health of nearly 4,000 men and women aged 60 for 12.5 years. Lab tests that were associated with heart attack and stroke risk, including cholesterol levels, blood sugar and blood clotting factors were measured in order to complete physical examinations. Participants were also asked to report regarding lifestyle behaviors, including diet, daily physical activity, exercise, smoking and alcohol intake at the beginning of the study.
Researchers observed those who were most physically active and found that they had reduced their risk of heart attack and stroke by 27 percent, with a risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 30 percent when compared to less-active participants.
Interestingly enough, physical activity didn't have to be formal exercise in the gym. It could actually come from general active daily chores, including gardening, car maintenance and other functions. Many of these things may seem rather small but can be particularly important as some individuals over the age of 60 choose not to exercise at all.
What do you think?
More information regarding the study can be found via the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone