Study suggests physical activity reduces cardiovascular disease

This article contains important evidence-based cardiovascular health findings you can share with your patients.

Investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital published a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) suggesting physical activity reduces cardiovascular disease risk by lowering stress-related brain signaling.

Researchers analyzed more than 50,000 participants and found those meeting exercise recommendations had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher activity levels are also correlated with reduced stress-related brain activity. For DCs, this emphasizes the importance of promoting physical exercise for overall health, highlighting its benefits for cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal well-being. Communicating these findings can help patients understand the comprehensive health benefits of regular physical activity.

The JACC cardiovascular health report: What to know about the study

The results essentially stated, “physical activity lowers cardiovascular disease risk in part by reducing stress-related signaling in the brain.” Other key findings include:

• In the study, researchers analyzed the medical records and supporting information from more than 50,000 participants from the Mass General Brigham Biobank who completed a physical activity survey.
• These records were used in conjunction with a subset of 774 participants who underwent brain imaging tests and measurements of stress-related brain activity
• Over a median follow-up of a decade, almost 13% developed a cardiovascular disease.
• Of those who met the physical activity recommendations, there was a 23% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with those not meeting these recommendations.
• Those with higher physical activity levels trended toward lower stress-related brain activity.
• Reductions in stress-associated brain activity were driven by gains in function in the prefrontal cortex (impulse control, decision-making, etc.).
• Researchers found in a group of more than 50,000 participants, the cardiovascular benefits of exercise were greater among those who were expected to have higher stress-related brain activity.

What do these findings mean for DCs and their patients?

As a DC, you’re not just responsible for your patients’ musculoskeletal health; you’re tasked with helping them achieve improved wellness on all fronts.

Improved cardiovascular health through physical exercise could improve neurological health as well as musculoskeletal health. Communicating these important points to your patients is key.

Here are a few ways DCs like you can share the results of this study with your patients:

• Appropriate levels of exercise based on a patient’s goals and abilities can be crucial for overall health and wellness for musculoskeletal improvement.
• Physical activity may have important brain effects, which could impart greater cardiovascular health benefits to all patients, but especially those dealing with depression and other stress-related symptoms.
• For patients seeking improved cognition, overall improved well-being and improved stress-related conditions, physical activity could be roughly twice as effective in lowering cardiovascular disease.

Final thoughts on cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal well-being

This particular study suggests that physical activity lowers cardiovascular disease risk partially because of how it reduces stress-related signaling in the brain. As a DC responsible for the holistic health and wellness of your patients, studies like these can help connect the dots for those who frequent your practice.

For more news from the chiropractic world, including relevant studies that help your patients achieve improved overall health and wellness, remember to subscribe to Chiropractic Economics magazine.