A new study confirms aerobic exercise can substantially reduce the risk of early death from any cause, especially heart disease.A new study confirms aerobic exercise can substantially reduce the risk of early death from any cause, especially heart disease.The meta-analysis, which includes more than 20 million observations, shows that increased physical activity lowers mortality risk.
Cardiovascular health impacts the health of the entire body, and exercise is the best way to promote it.A large new study shows that people who regularly engage in aerobic exercise have a significantly greater chance of living longer and a lower risk of heart disease.
The meta-analysis, led by Grant Tomkinson, PhD, a research professor at the University of South Australia, analyzed the results of 26 systematic reviews of 199 unique cohort studies.These trials investigated links between exercise, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular health. All told, they involved 20.9 million researcher observations.
The researchers measured energy expenditure from cardio fitness with METs or “metabolic equivalent of tasks.”The amount of energy spent sitting quietly is 1-MET. The findings show that for every additional 1-MET exerted via aerobic exercise, the risk of all-cause death lowered from 11% to 17% and the risk of heart failure reduced by up to 18%.
Cardio fitness improves heart health, promotes longevityCardio fitness, often referred to as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or aerobic fitness, reflects the ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to supply oxygen during sustained physical activity,” said lead study author Justin J. Lang, PhD, a research analyst at CHEO Research Institute in Ottawa, Canada.Aerobic exercise, Lang told Medical News Today, is the key to maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness.
There are many ways to strengthen your cardiorespiratory fitness through aerobic activities. Examples of common, heart-pumping aerobic exercises include,running,swimming, cycling,brisk walking,aerobic exercise classes
Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and the executive director of Health and Community Education at the Piedmont Healthcare Corporation in Atlanta, GA, not involved in the study, explained to MNT:“The heart is providing oxygen to every organ and tissue within the body. This allows for optimal performance of the body. As heart function declines, other organ systems are at risk of both a decreased blood flow as well as a decreased oxygen uptake and delivery. The stronger the heart, the more efficiently it pumps blood, keeping other tissues healthy and performing optimally.”
Lang noted additional reasons why a strong, healthy heart is key to overall health and longevity. He noted that robust circulation can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension, “which are the leading causes of early death worldwide,” he said.Exercise can also help keep cholesterol — a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease — under control, and a strong heart can help one respond “to the many stressors and demands of life,” Lang added.Additionally, physical activity has been linked to a “reduced risk of some cancers, dementia, depression, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes, but the mechanisms aren’t as well understood,” Lang said.Lang noted additional reasons why a strong, healthy heart is key to overall health and longevity. He noted that robust circulation can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension, “which are the leading causes of early death worldwide,” he said.Exercise can also help keep cholesterol — a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease — under control, and a strong heart can help one respond “to the many stressors and demands of life,” Lang added.Additionally, physical activity has been linked to a “reduced risk of some cancers, dementia, depression, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes, but the mechanisms aren’t as well understood,” Lang said.