Exercise reduces heart disease risk by reducing stress-related brain activity

Physical activity may reduce the risk of heart disease in part by reducing stress-related brain activity

New Delhi:

New research finds that physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, in part by reducing stress-induced brain activity.

Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people who were more physically active also had lower levels of this stress-related brain activity.

The researchers found that this reduction in stress-related brain activity was driven by “enhanced functionality” in the prefrontal cortex, an area that helps with decision-making and goal-directed behavior and is known to suppress the brain’s stress center.

The team also found that the cardiovascular benefits of exercise were “significantly” higher among participants who would be expected to experience more stress-related brain activity, such as those with depression.

“For people with depression, physical activity reduces cardiovascular disease risk by approximately Twice the impact on stress-related brain activity in people with depression may explain the new observations. ” School, U.S.

For the study, researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 50,000 participants who completed physical activity surveys. The team used data from the Brigham Biobank at Massachusetts General Hospital, a research project designed to help understand how people’s genes, lifestyle and environment influence their health.

More than 700 of the 50,000 participants also underwent brain imaging tests and measures of stress-related brain activity.

During a typical 10-year follow-up period, researchers found that about 13% of participants had cardiovascular disease.

The study found that participants who met physical activity recommendations had a 23% lower risk of heart disease and related diseases compared with participants who did not meet physical activity recommendations.

“Prospective studies are needed to identify potential moderators and demonstrate causal relationships. In the meantime, clinicians can communicate to patients that physical activity may have important effects on the brain, which may have consequences for patients with stress-related syndromes such as depression. Individuals experience greater cardiovascular benefits,” Tawakor said.

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