Exercise still beneficial for the heart even in areas of high air pollution

New European research has shown that exercise can still help reduce the risk of heart attack even in areas where road pollution is moderate to high.

Despite the pollution, exercise is always beneficial for health. (Reuters photo)

Conducted by researchers in Denmark, Germany, and Spain, the new large-scale study examined 51,868 Danish adults aged 50 to 65 to see if exercise could still help reduce the risk of first heart attack. when participants have been exposed to air pollution, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Researchers analyzed participants' outdoor activity levels. and their exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a pollutant generated by the circulation.

Participants were also asked to inquire about other lifestyle factors as well as their physical activity

. 2,936 first heart attacks and 324 recurrent heart attacks.

The team found that, as expected, higher levels of air pollution were associated with more heart attacks, people living by cons, the results also suggest that the Regular physical activity reduces the chances of first and second heart attacks. recurring heart attack, even in areas with moderate to high levels of road pollution

More specifically, those who participated in sports activities had a lower rate of 15% of initial heart attacks and those who had less than 9% Regardless of the quality of the air, a moderate cycle of four hours or more per week also reduced the risk of recurrent heart attack by 31%.

There was also a 58% reduction when the four types of physical activity were combined. "At the present time, there is little data on whether poor air quality negates the protective benefits of physical activity to prevent heart attacks," said M Kubesch. "Our study shows that physical activity, even in cities with levels similar to those in Copenhagen, can reduce the risk of heart attack."

"Our research supports existing evidence that even moderate levels of regular physical activity, such as active shuttles, are intense enough to achieve these health benefits."