Playing football is the best way for middle-aged men to tackle high blood pressure.
This small scale study looked at the benifits of soccer in untrained hypertensive middlea ged men. The Study largely tells us what we already know: that exercise is good for cardiovascular risk. However, a point largely missed by this work is the question of adherence to exercise. Finding exercise that fits easily into ones lifestyle and exercise that one can enjoy are key in making positive changes to behaviour.
Daily Mail, October 16 2012,
Krustrup P, Randers MB, LJ Andersen, et al. Soccer Improves Fitness and Attenuates Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Hypertensive Men. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Published online October 10 2012
Having a desk job increases cardiovascular risk
Again, another study examining the relationship with physical activity and cardiovascular risk. This study reviews previous work (known as meta-analysis) to examine the association of sedentary time with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular all-cause mortality. The authors conclude that sedentary time is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Importantly, the strength of the association is most consistent for diabetes. So, if you have a desk job, the evidence says we must find a way to get active to “compensate” for long sedentary periods. The American College of Sports Medicine have the following recomendations:
- Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
- Exercise recommendations can be met through 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (five days per week) or 20-60 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise (three days per week).
- One continuous session and multiple shorter sessions (of at least 10 minutes) are both acceptable to accumulate desired amount of daily exercise.
- Gradual progression of exercise time, frequency and intensity is recommended for best adherence and least injury risk.
- People unable to meet these minimums can still benefit from some activity.
BBC News, October 15 2012 Sitting for long periods ‘is bad for your health’.
Wilmot EG, Edwardson CL, Achana FA, et al. Sedentary time in adults and the association with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia. Published online August 14 2012
Fish oils and cardiovascular disease.
Another meta-analysis of previous work to try to assess the effect of supplementary omega 3 oils on total mortality, combined cardiovascular events or cancers in people with, or at high risk of, cardiovascular disease or in the general population. The results do not show a reduction in the risk of total mortality or combined cardiovascular events in those taking additional omega 3 fats and the authors conclude: “It is not clear that dietary or supplemental omega 3 fats alter total mortality, combined cardiovascular events or cancers in people with, or at high risk of, cardiovascular disease or in the general population. There is no evidence we should advise people to stop taking rich sources of omega 3 fats, but further high quality trials are needed to confirm suggestions of a protective effect of omega 3 fats on cardiovascular health”.
We are all aware of the need for a balance diet. Fish and oily fish such as such as sardines, herring and anchovies, and other larger fish, such as salmon, trout, ilish and mackerel such be taken in moderation like everything else we eat.
Daily Mail, October 12 2012
Hooper L, Harrison RA, Summerbell CD, et al. Omega 3 fatty acids for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Library. Published online January 21 2009