Minimize Heart Disease Risk with Exercise: Study Reveals Stress Reduction

Exercise for Mental, Heart, and Overall Health

We all know exercise is beneficial for your mental health and your heart health. The latest research reveals how these health benefits are interconnected.

The Brain-Heart Connection

Exercise doesn’t just improve your physical stamina but is also linked to a reduction in stress signals in the brain, leading to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, reveals a new study.

The Study’s Methodology

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analyzed data of over 50,000 adults around age 60 from the Mass General Brigham Biobank.

The research involved a survey about participants’ physical activity, brain imaging to track stress-related activity, and digital records of cardiovascular events.

Finding the Link Between Exercise and Stress Reduction

“Individuals who exercise more had a graded reduction in stress-related signals in the brain,” commented lead study author Dr. Ahmed Tawakol, a renowned cardiologist at Mass General Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

“There were strong associations that exercise seemed to partially reduce heart disease risks by decreasing stress-related signals,” he added.

Implications for Lifestyle Changes

Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, emphasized the importance of paying attention to such studies that suggest significant improvements from lifestyle changes. While not involved in this study, Dr. Freeman remarked, “These are incredibly cost-effective strategies — often more effective than many medications — and we should incorporate them into our routine.”

Exercise and Stress Signals

Exercise was found to both reduce stress signals and increase prefrontal cortical signals, according to Dr. Tawakol.

“Both are attractive changes in the brain,” he said.

As Dr. Freeman advises, you don’t need to be a professional athlete to establish a beneficial exercise routine. Any form of physical activity that gets your heart rate up can be effective — the key is to enjoy it. So, find a form of exercise you love and get moving!