Physical activity helps maintain good heart health

Report published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Cardiovascular benefits of exercise really good

New research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that physical activity may lower the risk of developing heart disease by reducing stress-related brain activity. The study, conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, analyzed data from over 50,000 participants, including brain imaging tests and measurements of stress-related brain activity.

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The findings revealed that individuals who were more physically active exhibited lower levels of stress-related brain activity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. This region of the brain, responsible for decision-making and goal-oriented behavior, helps restrain stress centers.

Moreover, the study found that the cardiovascular benefits of exercise were significantly higher among participants expected to experience more stress-related brain activity, such as those with depression. Senior author Ahmed Tawakol highlighted that physical activity was approximately twice as effective in lowering cardiovascular disease risk among individuals with depression.

Over a typical follow-up period of 10 years, approximately 13 percent of participants developed cardiovascular disease. Those who met physical activity recommendations had a 23 percent lower risk of heart and related diseases compared to those who did not meet these recommendations. These findings underscore the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining heart health, particularly for individuals experiencing high levels of stress.