Exercise Could Reduce Heart Disease Risk by up to 23% by Affecting Brain's Stress Responses, Study Reveals

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According to a new study, exercise could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by affecting the brain's stress responses.

Exercise and Heart Disease Risk

The findings revealed that the effects of physical activity on stress and other related mood conditions could protect against heart disease or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Findings were noted in the "Effect of Stress-Related Neural Pathways on the Cardiovascular Benefit of Physical Activity" study.

As part of the study, the researchers looked into the medical records of the Mass General Brigham Biobank, which covers over 50,000 people. All of these participants completed a survey regarding physical activity. A smaller subset, comprising 774 participants, also underwent brain imaging tests to measure brain activity related to stress.

During a follow-up at the 10-year median, the researchers discovered that 12.9% of the study participants ended up developing cardiovascular disease. They also observed that those who achieved recommended exercise levels had a 23% lower risk of developing CVD than those who did not.

The researchers also discovered an inverse correlation between physical activity and stress-related brain activity. More specifically, it was found that higher exercise levels led to lower stress-related brain activity.

Individuals who had brain conditions related to stress, such as depression, were observed to reap a more significant benefit from physical activity. Dr. Ahmed Tawakol, MD, a cardiologist from the Massachusetts General Hospital's Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center and one of the researchers, says that exercise was roughly doubly effective in reducing CVD risk among individuals with depression.

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CVD and Depression

Heart disease is the leading cause of death all over the world. In 2019, 17.9 million individuals were estimated to have died of it, with 85% of these deaths being due to heart attack or stroke. Over 75% of these deaths were also observed in low- and middle-income countries.

On the other hand, roughly 280 million people all over the world are affected by depression.

According to Cheng-Han Chen, MG, the medical director at the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center's Structural Heart Program and a board-certified interventional cardiologist, says that the link between depression and cardiovascular disease is symbiotic. Chen notes that various stress-related conditions could serve as a breeding ground for CVD.

The doctor explains that there is a close link between CVD and depression and that their relationship runs both ways. Roughly one-fourth of individuals with cardiovascular disease also experience depression. Several individuals with depression end up developing CVD.

Dr. David Merill, MD, PhD, a genetic psychiatrist and director at the Pacific Brain Health Center of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Providence Saint John's Health Center, also highlights that the relationship shared by heart disease and depression is bidirectional.

Chen also explains that reduced stress-related brain activity among individuals with high physical activity levels may be mediated by the endorphins generated through high-intensity exercise.