Living near gardens and trees reduces the risk of heart disease

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A new study shows that streets with trees and parks nearby are not only poetic, but can also protect you against heart disease, stroke and premature death.

The researchers analyzed the cardiovascular health of more than 400 people in the United States with the help of blood and urine samples.

They measured the vegetation level and air quality using NASA satellite images.

Without a doubt, people living in green areas, near parks, have better heart health and less stress, regardless of gender, age, race or medication.

"Our study shows that living in a dense area with trees and green plants can be beneficial for cardiovascular health," said study author Arony Battnager, professor of medicine and director of the Center. of diabetes and obesity at the University of Louisville. This study is the first to link green spaces to heart health. .

Over the past five years, researchers have employed 408 people of different ages, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, all of whom had heart problems in one way or another. other.

They had to take blood and urine samples and were subjected to tests to measure the vital signs of vascular involvement and the risk of heart disease. The researchers found that there was a clear relationship between green spaces and heart health.

But why do parks and green spaces make us healthier? For several reasons, they are not very clear and researchers are still trying to explain the relationship.

A study published last year found that people living near forests (in Germany) had better psychological health than urban areas and researchers found that forest dwellers worked better with the amygdala, who controls the emotions.

Thus, the parks give us a good reason to go to the sun and take vitamin D, and give us a chance to move.

The lack of physical activity is a major problem that concerns the cardiologist.

"In many societies, the way of life is far from healthy, people use their car or train to get to work and spend most of their time there," said Dr. Mario Garcia, cardiologist at the Montivore Medical Center in New York. At home, they sleep or sit. "