Worldwide, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death. While it is well known that even mild to moderate exercise can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, detecting that risk often involves a number of expensive medical tests.
What you will do if a simple test predicts your cardiovascular risk?
Well, there is an incredibly amazing marker, which can predict your cardiovascular disease or a cardiac event.
According to a study reviewed by experts at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, men who were able to do more than 40 consecutive pushups had a 96% reduction in having a life-threatening cardiac event when compared with those who did less than 10 pushups.
Researchers followed more than 1,100 middle-aged men firefighters for a decade. They observed two specific measures – how many pushups they were able to do and their exercise tolerance on a treadmill.
After an in-depth analysis, researchers found that men who could perform more than 40 pushups had a 96% lower risk of a cardiac event than men who could do less than 10 pushups. They also found that their ability to do pushups was a good predictor of heart disease than their exercise tolerance and stamina on a treadmill.
The study was done on middle-aged men who were generally fit; therefore, they are unsure of how it might apply to people who are less active. However, they claim that the push-up capacity could be an easy way to indicate a cardiovascular risk.
According to some experts, most people will hope the number is between 25 and 30, which are perfectly decent figures, but the study apparently says it is 40 consecutive push-ups. In fact, the study also found that even being able to do more than 10 pushups at baseline would significantly reduce the risk of cardiac events.
Pushups are undeniably one of the most effective exercises. Overall, pushups help you feel good and increase your level of physical conditioning. They are one of the indicators of what is actually going on with our cardiovascular system as well as your overall health. Pushups are indeed a very good statistical indicator.
Please note that these pushups are done consecutively. According to the study, all of the participants had to do the pushups with a heart rate set at 80 beats per minute.
The findings are consistent with what we are aware of i.e. being physically active and it has great health benefits.
So, if you are someone between 21 and 66, you know what you need to do to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Drop and give me 40! Please make sure you consult with your physician and a physical trainer before starting any exercise regimen, especially if you already have a history of heart disease.
