As the Rio Olympics wind down, track and field events have entered center stage. Therefore today’s post will look at the relationship between running and cardiovascular risk.

Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows the health benefits of running, even at slow speeds and at short distances, on cardiovascular health and mortality.

The study looked at over 55,000 adults, both men and women, ages 18 to 100 years, with an average age of 44 years. The amount of exercise in the study group was assessed by a medical history questionnaire, with a mean follow-up period of 15 years.

Runners were found to have lower risk of mortality including cardiovascular mortality compared to non-runners. Runners had 30% lower risk for all-cause mortality, and 45% lower risk for cardiovascular mortality.

Interestingly, even modest amounts of running such as 5-10 minutes/day and at slow speeds (greater than 10 minutes/mile) yielded significant mortality benefits. Not surprisingly, for those runners who were persistent in their efforts there was a stronger association with reduced mortality.

Given these health benefits, perhaps you may consider adding some running or jogging to your exercise routine.

Source- Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Vol. 64, No. 5, 2014)

“Running! If there’s any activity happier, more exhilarating, more nourishing to the imagination, I can’t think of what it might be. In running the mind flees with the body, the mysterious efflorescence of language seems to pulse in the brain, in rhythm with our feet and the swinging of our arms.”          Joyce Carol Oates

This blog is a review of medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.