In a recent study, researchers have pinpointed a simple daily habit that can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks. According to the British Heart Foundation, heart attacks lead to about 100,000 hospital admissions annually in the UK, equating to one every five minutes.
Preventative measures are within reach, and the research highlights that just four-and-a-half minutes of brisk walking each day can make a substantial impact. Additionally, the study suggests that incorporating an extra 60 grams of vegetables into your diet daily, along with securing 11 more minutes of sleep each night, can greatly reduce the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack.
The study involved 53,000 middle-aged adults in the UK, whose sleep patterns and physical activity levels were monitored through wearable technology like smartwatches. Participants also provided information on their dietary habits.
Over an eight-year span, the researchers identified 2,034 significant cardiovascular incidents, including heart attacks and strokes.
Research teams from Australia, Chile, and Brazil collaborated on this study, focusing on individuals with less healthy lifestyles—those sleeping under six hours a night and engaging in minimal exercise. The findings suggest that even modest adjustments, such as a few extra minutes of exercise and sleep, alongside a slight increase in vegetable intake, can decrease the risk of severe heart conditions by 10%.
Researchers found that four-and-a-half minutes of exercise, an extra 11 minutes of sleep, and 60g of veg every day could slash their risk of a serious heart condition by 10%.
Increasing sleep to eight hours, doing 40 minutes of exercise and following a good diet could cut the risk by 57%.
Dr Nicholas Koemel said: “Combining small changes in a few areas of our lives can have a surprisingly large positive impact on our cardiovascular health.”
Emily McGrath, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Changes don’t need to be big to make a difference. The key is a healthy lifestyle you can stick with.”
On the NHS website, it says there are a few key elements to preventing a heart attack.
It says making lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent having a heart attack.
