Thumbs up for being fit!
Are you a man with high blood pressure? Do you want to live longer and avoid dying from a heart attack or stroke? If you answered yes to both questions, then you might want to read this article. It’s about a 29-year study that shows how being fit can help you survive even if your blood pressure is through the roof.
The Study: A Long and Hard Journey
The study was done by Professor Jari Laukkanen of the University of Eastern Finland, who is probably very fit himself. He and his colleagues followed 2,280 men aged 42 to 61 years for almost three decades. They measured their blood pressure and fitness levels at the start of the study and then tracked how many of them died from cardiovascular disease.
The Results: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The results were not surprising: high blood pressure and low fitness were both bad for your heart. Men with high blood pressure and low fitness had more than double the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than men with normal blood pressure and high fitness. That’s like playing Russian roulette with two bullets instead of one.
But here’s the good news: men with high blood pressure and high fitness had only 55% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than men with normal blood pressure and high fitness. That’s like playing Russian roulette with one bullet and a half instead of one. Still risky, but better than nothing.
Stare down high blood pressure.
The Implications: What You Can Do About It
So what does this mean for you? Well, it means that you should try to lower your blood pressure if you can, but also try to improve your fitness levels if you can’t. How do you do that? The article suggests exercising regularly, avoiding excess weight, and not smoking. Sounds easy, right?
Of course, it’s not that easy. If it was, everyone would be fit and healthy. But don’t worry, we have some tips for you to make it more fun and less boring. Here they are:
The Tips: How to Make Fitness Fun
Find an exercise that you enjoy and do it with a friend or a group. It could be anything from walking to cycling to dancing to yoga. Just make sure it gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat a bit.
Set realistic goals and track your progress. Don’t expect to run a marathon or lift a car after a week of training. Start small and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Use a fitness app or a wearable device to monitor your steps, calories, distance, etc.
Reward yourself for your achievements. Celebrate every milestone you reach, whether it’s losing a pound, running a mile, or doing 10 push-ups. Treat yourself to something nice, like a new outfit, a movie ticket, or a massage. Just don’t reward yourself with junk food or alcohol.
Have fun with it. Don’t take yourself too seriously or stress out about your performance. Laugh at your mistakes, joke with your buddies, and enjoy the process. Remember that fitness is not a punishment, but a gift.
You too can be this happy.
Conclusion
Being fit can help you live longer even if your blood pressure is high. But don’t take our word for it. Try it yourself and see the results. Or don’t. It's up to you!
Source : Laukkanen JA, Jae SY, Kurl S, Kunutsor SK. High fitness levels attenuate the increased risk of cardiovascular deaths in individuals with high systolic blood pressure. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2023. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwad034.
Comments