Heart and stroke risk 'cut by brisk walks'

Tuesday 9 October 2012

BRISK walks can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by half, research has found.

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Scientists say that it is the intensity rather than the duration of the exercise that counts, while an hour's daily walk makes little difference.

The research, published in the online journal BMJ Open, found daily fast walks cut risk factors for strokes and heart problems by 50%, while jogging cut them by 40%.

The study looked at the health of more than 10,000 Danish men and women between the ages of 21 and 98, who were monitored for 10 years.Dr Adam Laursen, of Bispebjerg University Hospital in Copenhagen, said: "Our results confirm the role of physical activity in reducing metabolic syndrome risk and suggest intensity more than volume of physical activity is important. Our data indicated the risk of developing metabolic syndrome may be reduced as much as 35%–50% in subjects who are more physically active."Among the participants the average prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 21% in women and 27% in men.Dr Laursen said: "Significantly lower risk of metabolic syndrome was found in the moderately and highly physically active groups compared to their sedentary counterparts whereas light physical activity and even more than one hour of walking daily did not confer protection."Maureen Talbot, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Jogging or walking briskly makes the heart beat faster – exercising the heart muscle."So if you want to make the walk to work or to the shops part of keeping your heart healthy then try turning it from a leisurely stroll into a power walk to get the benefits."

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Heart and stroke risk 'cut by brisk walks'

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