Latest news with #HeartDisease
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New Study Shows Doing This for 3 Minutes a Day Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Besides quitting smoking, eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and even increase your longevity. But a new study shows you don't have to partake in structured workouts to protect your ticker. In fact, researchers found short bursts — as little as three minutes a day — of moderate to vigorous incidental physical activity (IPA) may cut the risk of a having a major adverse cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, in is incidental physical activity? Think of it as physical movement that's not considered leisure or recreational exercise, says lead study author Emmanuel Stamatakis, Ph.D., a professor of physical activity, lifestyle and population health at the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre in Camperdown, Australia. 'Incidental physical activity is what we do on autopilot in our daily lives, when we move from place to place, perform domestic tasks and do things at work,' Stamatakis explains. Some examples include taking the stairs, carrying groceries, bursts of fast walking, housecleaning (mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing) and vigorous gardening. It may surprise you, but only 24.2% of adults in the U.S. get the recommended 150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) and two days of muscle-strengthening activity (like lifting weights) each week. Because so many people aren't getting enough exercise, Stamatakis and his team wanted to find out what, if any, long-term cardiovascular benefits could come solely through incidental physical activity. What the study found The researchers looked at data from more than 24,000 adults, aged 40 to 79, who were all non-exercisers and free of heart disease. During the course of seven days, which included three weekdays and one weekend day, the participants wore a wristband accelerometer, which provided a daily detailed summary of any light (washing the dishes, walking the dog, a stroll to the photocopier), moderate (brisk walking, playing tag, moving, carrying, or pushing around things like a lawnmower) and vigorous (short jog, quickly climbing stairs, or more intense gardening like hoeing or digging up weeds) incidental physical activity. A follow-up with the study subjects eight years later revealed the effects of the various levels of IPA in regards to cardiovascular risk. The median dose of vigorous (4.6 minutes a day) and moderate (23.8 to 23.9 minutes a day) incidental physical activity was associated with 25% to 38% and 40% to 50% lower risk of cardiovascular events (including deaths), respectively. In terms of preventing heart disease deaths and major cardiovascular events, the researchers learned that 1 minute of vigorous IPA was equal to 2.8 to 3.4 minutes of moderate IPA and 35 to 48 minutes of light IPA. Essentially, 3 minutes of moderate activity every day while you're doing chores could lower your risk for heart problems. What this means for you All in all, the message is very clear, according to Stamatakis. 'Know that no movement is wasted and all of it counts. Use any opportunity in life to move at higher intensity, like using stairs instead of elevators or parking your car further away,' he says. 'You'll improve the function of your heart and vessels and your body will respond positively.' A good rule of thumb of how to determine what's light, moderate and what's vigorous incidental physical activity is to use the singing, speaking rule, suggests Stamatakis. 'If someone can comfortably sing or speak while doing activity that means it's light intensity, when people are doing moderate activity, you can still speak, but singing isn't possible anymore, and when you hit vigorous intensity, you shouldn't be able to speak or sing while doing it,' he explains. The bottom line Yes, the study shows shorter spurts of activity can help protect your heart, but that doesn't mean you should give up exercising on the regular. You should still aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week and when your schedule is tight, amp up the intensity of your everyday chores. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper


Health Line
5 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
5 Health Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering can feel good on the inside, help lower your risk of heart disease, and improve your quality of life, among other health benefits. How you decide to contribute to your community is up to you — many options are available. If you regularly volunteer, you probably know that giving back to your community can make you feel good and give you a sense of purpose or greater meaning. But volunteering can also do much more for you, including positively affecting your health — there's even research that supports this. Health and wellness touch everyone's lives differently. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Healthline Media. All quotes are strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. May prolong your life This finding comes from a 2020 study of 12,998 adults over age 50. Specifically, participants who volunteered for 4 years and at least 100 hours per year had an associated reduced risk of early death compared to those who volunteered for 0 hours. Depending on what you do to volunteer, it can help keep you active and social and your brain sharp, which may improve your overall health and prolong your life. May lower your risk of heart disease According to data from 2004 to 2014 published in a 2018 study, volunteering and performing more informal acts of kindness may help reduce the risk of heart disease in all people. These findings were compared to those who didn't volunteer or help people in their community in other ways. This goes to show that you don't have to engage in organized volunteering — a simple and frequent random act of kindness can also go a long way. May improve your brain performance A 2-year 2021 study assessed the brain performance of older adults with no signs of cognitive decline. The older adults were enrolled in a volunteering program at elementary schools designed to increase their physical, cognitive, and social engagement. Researchers found that adults in the program demonstrated statistically significant improved executive function compared to those in a low-activity control group. May improve your quality of life Volunteering may be one way to enhance the quality of life for people in middle age and older adulthood. A 2018 research review of eight older studies on adults over the age of 50 years found that all studies reported positive quality of life outcomes for participants measured by increases in: life satisfaction self-esteem social support slowed functional decline A 2021 research review found that volunteering roles that specifically gave participants a functional role, such as a mentor, may help improve well-being and quality of life in adults over 80. These findings may help public health experts work toward a solution for social isolation and finding purpose as people get older. May reduce your levels of physical pain A study published in 2023 used survey data of 48,000 people collected yearly from 2011 to 2020 to assess the effect of volunteering and donating on pain levels. Researchers found that those who volunteered or donated reported lower levels of physical pain over the course of the study. This may be because volunteering can help keep you active and steadier on your feet, especially as you get older. The study, however, did not find that volunteering for more hours was associated with lower pain levels. How to start volunteering If you already regularly volunteer, go you! If not, here are some recommendations on where to get started: You can also get involved by contacting local: hospitals or nursing homes food banks churches libraries animal shelters schools Remember that donating can count, too! You can donate blood to a blood drive, hair to organizations that make wigs for people undergoing chemotherapy, and clothing to thrift stores. Consider asking a friend or loved one if you're still looking for ideas. If they're located in the same community as you, they may be able to help connect you with a local organization. Try aligning volunteer opportunities with your skills Do you have a background in teaching, or have you been told that you're good at explaining things? If so, you might be a good fit for educational volunteer roles. If you like animals, consider starting with your local animal shelter. If you enjoy working with children, try reaching out to schools in the area. If you surround yourself with books, you might feel at home in a library. The point is: You don't have to start from scratch. Lots of volunteer organizations and roles can align with the skills you already have (or want to learn!). How the Healthline team volunteers 'Fostering animals! Taking in kittens and dogs and giving them a safe space, love, and security until they find their forever homes has been one of the best things our family does together. It's not always easy, and there have been many tears along the way, but the idea that we can play a small role in changing lives (both animal and human) for the better is both gratifying and exciting.' — Sara McTigue, senior editor 'I've done a lot of different volunteer work over the years, and it always fills my cup. Whether it's preparing meals and wrapping gifts at my local community center or signing up to clean up a park nearby, it feels good to contribute to something. I can't change the world, but I can take part in small acts of service to uplift or improve my neighborhood.' — Samantha Costa, editor 'I started walking dogs at my local shelter, and it's been such a rewarding and low-lift way to give back and help animals in need. The dogs are so happy to get out of their kennels and have some human interaction, so it's impossible not to feel joyful being around them. The volunteer program at the shelter is important for helping the dogs get adopted, and I love being able to contribute to that effort.' — Ginger Wojcik, newsletter editor 'My way of volunteering is more so donating — but it still counts! Every few years, I grow my hair out and cut off at least 8 inches to send to a charity like Locks of Love that makes wigs for those who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. I get a lot of compliments on my hair, so I figure, why not share it! It makes me feel good knowing that even something like hair can be repurposed.' — Sarah Matysiak, editor 'I volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster youth … until their case closes (can be anywhere from a few months to years). Being a consistent adult in a youth's life and helping to advocate for their best interests has been a really rewarding experience. 'I've also volunteered with my dog as a therapy dog team through a local shelter for the past couple of years … We would visit a local hospital, senior communities, and a college campus, and it always lifted my spirits. Spending time with my pup is one of my favorite activities, and it was rewarding to bring a smile to people's faces on a rough day.' — Chelsea Logan, managing editor


Medscape
5 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
AI Can Spot Lurking Heart Condition
Artificial intelligence can detect cardiac amyloidosis from a short video of a heartbeat, according to new research in the European Heart Journal . Cardiac amyloidosis results when misshaped or misfolded proteins lodge throughout the heart, forcing it to work harder to pump blood. The condition can lead to thicker heart walls, is more common in older adults, and has features similar to those of hypertensive heart disease or aortic stenosis. Diagnosis is challenging, particularly in earlier disease stages, when thicker heart walls are not apparent on an echocardiogram. 'If the patient has symptoms we can't explain and if the echo isn't quite normal, it would be reasonable to apply this AI model to see if they have amyloid,' said Patricia Pellikka, MD, the Betty Knight Scripps Professor of Cardiovascular Disease Clinical Research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a co-author of the new study. Those symptoms could be nonspecific, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or swollen ankles, Pellikka said. Cardiac amyloidosis is definitively diagnosed with a biopsy or blood and urine analysis. Although rare, the number of cases appears to be rising. The prevalence rate rose from 8 to 17 per 100,000 person-years from 2000 to 2012, according to an analysis published in Circulation: Heart Failure . A 2025 analysis by researchers at Mayo Clinic found an overall prevalence of cardiac amyloidosis of 1.25% among more than 30,000 people who received an echocardiogram, with a greater incidence in people aged 80-89 years than among those aged 60-69. 'Delays in diagnosis are very common with this disease,' said Jeremy Slivnick, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Chicago who helped conduct the latest research. In many cases, a year or more will elapse between the first appearance of symptoms and a diagnosis of amyloidosis, at which point the disease is harder to control, he said. Comparing AI to Other CA Screening Tools The new study validates previous research that led to the 2024 approval of the technology — EchoGo Amyloidosis — in the United States on a diverse population that spanned 18 global research sites. And the research shows that the AI model has broad applicability, Slivnick added. ''This is now an FDA-approved product,' Slivnick said. 'It's really critical that it works on everyone.' Pellikka and her colleagues at Mayo previously worked with Ultromics, the Oxford, UK-based biotech firm that markets EchoGo Amyloidosis, to create an AI algorithm that distinguishes cardiac amyloidosis from other types of heart disease. They fed video clips of echocardiograms of people diagnosed with the disorder into the tool, as well as video clips of people with other heart conditions. These clips showed the heart's four chambers during heartbeats. The new retrospective study tested the AI tool at 18 global sites, with 597 echo videos of people with cardiac amyloidosis and 2122 videos of people with other heart conditions. The AI model effectively spotted all subtypes of amyloidosis in the dataset, with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.93, a sensitivity of 85% for identifying patients with the condition, and a specificity of 93% for finding those without the disorder. An apical four-chamber view of a patient with newly diagnosed hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. The patient had presented with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This videoclip was among those used to build the model. Video courtesy of Mayo Clinic/Ultromics Compared with other commonly used diagnostic tests for the condition, including concentrations of transthyretin (which can form amyloid deposits) and measurements of cardiac wall thickness, the AI model spotted more cases of concern. The AUROC for the AI model was 0,93, compared to an AUROC of 0.73 for transthyretin concentration and an AUROC of 0.80 for increased mediation. 'Now we've got therapies for amyloid cardiomyopathy, but they work best if they're applied early in the natural history of the disease. We should be getting people on the treatment they need,' Pellikka said. Several options exist. The FDA has approved three drugs for the treatment of cardiac amyloidosis, each of which can stop further production of amyloid deposits but do not reverse the damage already done. These drugs are tafamidis (Vyndamax), acoramidis (Attruby), and vutrisiran (Amvuttra). Amyloidosis 'is a progressive disease. As of now we don't have anything to reverse the pathology, so the more protein that deposits in the heart, the worse these patients do,' said David Snipelisky, MD, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida. Heart transplants are sometimes an option, Snipelisky said, but in other cases only the medications meant to stop amyloid production are possible. Representatives of any echo lab can upload video clips of suspected cases of cardiac amyloidosis to a secure site maintained by the company, Pellikka said, and receive a result of whether amyloidosis is likely, unlikely, or indeterminate. Although the latest findings show the potential of the algorithm to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis from a single echo image, the next step would be test the tool in a prospective clinical trial, Snipelisky said. Snipelisky reported no relevant financial conflicts of interest. Slivnick reported relationships with GE Healthcare, Pfizer, and BridgeBio. Pellikka reported funding from the National Institutes of Health, Ultromics, and Edwards Lifesciences.