A recent study has found that short, intense bursts of activity, such as climbing stairs or carrying heavy shopping, could slash the risk of heart attacks, stroke and heart failure in women by up to 45%. The research focused on the impact of “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity” – everyday exertions like briskly walking for a bus or tackling an uphill walk – on cardiac health.
These efforts, which may last from about 1.5 to four minutes daily, were linked to “substantially lower risks” of cardiovascular issues, particularly benefiting women. The researchers behind the study, which appeared in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggest these activities could be a viable target for physical activity, especially for those who are unable or unwilling to engage in regular exercise routines.
Data was gathered from 81,052 middle-aged participants of the UK Biobank study, all of whom wore an activity tracker for a week between 2013 and 2015. Out of these, 22,368 individuals reported doing no regular exercise or only walking once weekly.
The participants’ heart health was monitored up until November 2022, with hospital admissions and deaths from heart attack, stroke, and heart failure being recorded. Within the group reporting minimal or no exercise, there were 13,018 women and 9,350 men.
A new study has shown that just a few minutes of intense activity each day could significantly lower the risk of heart problems, particularly in women. The research found that women who achieved an average of 3.4 minutes of vigorous daily activity – without engaging in formal exercise – were 45% less likely to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Those women had a 51% reduced chance of a heart attack and a staggering 67% lower risk of developing heart failure. Women notching up between 1.2 and 1.6 minutes of such activity per day also saw benefits, with a 33% decreased risk of a heart attack and a 40% lesser chance of heart failure.
For men, 5.6 minutes of similar active bursts each day, even without regular exercise, led to a 16% reduction in the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Experts commented on the findings, pointing out: “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity may be a promising physical activity target for cardiovascular disease prevention, particularly in women unable or not willing to engage in formal exercise”.