Gentle exercise dramatically cuts danger of early death from heart disease, according to new research.
Just 30 minutes of jogging or cycling three times a week has amazing results for people with heart problems – the UK’s biggest killer – a study has found.
In just three months it slashed the risk of an early death by 60 per cent in those who followed the fitness regime.
One-in-five men and one-in-seven women die of heart disease in the UK, equivalent to 250 deaths a day. Overall, 200,000 people die each year from conditions related to circulation, including strokes, heart attacks and heart disease.
These figures are expected to go up as the population ages and thanks also to a rise in obesity, which leads to furring of arteries.
The study, released today, found the biggest gains were in patients who were also stressed. The authors believe it is because stress can quadruple the risk of death in people with heart problems.
Exercise can offer the double benefit of reducing stress levels while also improving heart health.