There’s a new study that shows how important it is to be fit and healthy, especially if you have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can be really dangerous and can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
But this study found that being fit can help protect against some of the negative effects of high blood pressure.
The study looked at 2,280 men living in eastern Finland, aged 42 to 61 years, who were enrolled in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study.
The researchers measured their blood pressure and their fitness level, which was assessed by seeing how much oxygen they could use while riding a stationary bike.
The team followed up with these men over 29 years, and during that time, there were 644 deaths from cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that high blood pressure alone was linked with a 39% increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. And low fitness alone was linked with a 74% increased risk of cardiovascular death.
But the most interesting findings were when the researchers looked at both blood pressure and fitness levels together.
The team found that men who had high blood pressure and low fitness levels had more than twice the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to men who had normal blood pressure and high fitness levels.
But even men who had high blood pressure but high fitness levels still had an increased risk of cardiovascular death, although it was weaker than for men with high blood pressure and low fitness levels.
The study’s lead author, Professor Jari Laukkanen, said, “Both high blood pressure and low fitness levels were each associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death.
High fitness levels attenuated, but did not eliminate, the increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in men with elevated blood pressure.”
The researchers suggest that getting blood pressure under control should be a goal for everyone, but especially for those with high blood pressure.
And they also recommend regular physical activity to improve fitness levels. This means exercising regularly, like going for a walk or a bike ride, or playing a sport you enjoy.
They also recommend avoiding excess body weight, which can improve fitness and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
It’s important to take care of your heart and blood vessels, and being fit and healthy can go a long way in helping you stay healthy and live a long, happy life.
How to prevent high blood pressure
There are several things you can do to prevent high blood pressure. Here are some tips:
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for high blood pressure. You can maintain a healthy weight through a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet can help prevent high blood pressure. You should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugars.
Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help keep your blood vessels healthy and lower your blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Limit alcohol intake: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure. You should limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Quit smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for high blood pressure. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your overall health.
Monitor your blood pressure: You should have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you have a family history of high blood pressure or if you have other risk factors.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about cannabis linked to blood pressure reduction in older people, and this common plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about potatoes and high blood pressure, and results showing Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
The study was conducted by Jari A Laukkanen et al and published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
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