Suche
Mein Konto
People with depression or anxiety are twice as likely to benefit from regular exercise, according to a study.
Researchers followed the exercise programs of more than 50,000 people in their late 50s, up to a third of whom were diagnosed with the disease.
Overall, those who exercised moderately for 150 minutes per week were 17 percent less likely to have a heart attack or a blocked coronary artery within two years, compared to people who exercised less often.
But people who were depressed or anxious benefited the most, seeing a 22 percent reduced risk compared to 10 percent for people without either condition.
Depressed and anxious people can suffer from chronic inflammation due to the stress on their bodies.
This can lead to hardening of the arteries, putting someone at higher risk of heart problems down the road.
But scientists say exercise can help relieve these symptoms by promoting the release of endorphins - the "feel-good hormones" - which can improve people's mood and reduce inflammation.
Researchers tracked the exercise regimens of more than 50,000 people in their late 50s, a third of whom were diagnosed with the disease. (Image from a photo agency)
Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health problems in the UK, affecting around one in 12 people every week.
It is estimated that a total of 4.8 million Brits live with the conditions, while in the US there are around 22 million.
Chronic stress can increase levels of the hormone cortisol in the blood, which can lead to a faster heartbeat and high blood pressure - risk factors for heart disease.
In the latest study, to be presented next week at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting in Washington DC, scientists extracted data from 50,000 patients in the Mass General Brigham Biobank who had an average age of 59 years.
Of the participants, 4,000 – or eight percent of the total— have had a heart attack, chest pain due to a blocked artery, or had a procedure to open a blocked artery within two years.
Scientists first looked at patients who exercised 150 minutes or more a week, which is the level recommended by the NHS.
They then divided the patients into groups - those who had a diagnosis of anxiety or depression and those who did not.
They found that people with mental illnesses who did 150 minutes of exercise - which could include a brisk walk, cycling, hiking or tennis - were 22 percent less likely to have one of the heart diseases than others with anxiety or depression diagnoses who exercised less.
This was more than double the benefit seen in people who did not suffer from anxiety or depression.
Hadil Zuereigat, a heart disease researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital who led the study, said: “The effect of physical activity on the brain's stress response may be particularly relevant in people with stress-related psychiatric illnesses.
"This is not to say that exercise is only effective in people with depression or anxiety, but we have found that these patients appear to derive greater cardiovascular benefits from physical activity."
She added: “Any amount of exercise is helpful, especially for people with depression or anxiety.
“Physical activity will not only help them feel better, but will also greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
"It can be difficult to make the transition, but once achieved, physical activity allows those with these common chronic stress-related psychiatric illnesses to kill two birds with one stone."