A reduction in stress-related brain activity may be behind some of exercise’s heart health benefits
People with higher levels of physical activity had lower stress-related activity in the brain and a 23% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who didn’t exercise regularly
Stress signals in the brain are linked to inflammation, hardening or thickening of the arteries, increased blood pressure and higher sympathetic nervous system activity
Exercise was about twice as effective in lowering cardiovascular disease risk among people with depression
If you’re middle-aged or beyond, focus on fun, social and moderate-intensity exercise; too much vigorous exercise can backfire
By JM MD
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