Alongside the development of modern medicine, the impact of a healthy lifestyle and physical activity on cardiovascular health is increasingly attracting attention. Recent research shows that the benefits of exercise can vary by gender, and women may have a greater advantage in heart health compared to men. This article explores the results of recent studies and their practical significance.
Redaksiya reports that a study conducted in China indicates that women gain greater benefits from physical activity impacting heart health compared to men. Published in "Nature Cardiovascular Research," this study analyzed data from 85,000 individuals registered in the UK Biobank who had no history of heart disease. Participants' physical activity levels were monitored via accelerometers, and cardiac events and deaths were recorded over an average of seven years. In accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association, women who exercised for 175 minutes of moderate or high intensity, or 75 minutes of high intensity per week, experienced a 22% reduction in the risk of cardiac events compared to those who did not follow these recommendations. For men, this figure was 17%.
According to the study's findings, women can achieve greater benefits for heart health with less physical activity compared to men. For instance, while men need to exercise 530 minutes per week to reduce heart risk by 30%, for women, this figure is approximately 250 minutes. This means women can achieve the same results by spending almost half the time exercising compared to men. According to Ciacin Chen, a researcher at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases at Xiamen University, it is surprising that the cardiovascular benefits women gain from physical activity are roughly half that of men. Furthermore, the risk of death for women who exercised the recommended amount was three times lower than for men. Dr. Emily Lau, Director of Women's Cardiovascular Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Massachusetts General Heart and Vascular Institute, emphasizes the significance of these findings, noting that women have an advantage in physical activity. However, she states that women are less physically active and are less likely to meet recommended activity targets. This reminds the medical community of the importance of tailoring recommendations to women.
The study's results serve as a starting point for further research to better understand why women gain more benefits than men. Chen states that there are some theories regarding the potential explanations for these findings. Firstly, women have higher estrogen levels than men, and pre-menopausal estrogen can protect cardiovascular health. This may be one reason why women experience cardiac events at a later age than men. Additionally, trials have been conducted showing improvement in coronary heart disease in men receiving estrogen supplements, as it helps with lipid breakdown during exercise. Differences in muscle structure and muscle metabolism between men and women may also play a role. Women burning more fat and using fewer carbohydrates could have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health during exercise. The results of this research lay the groundwork for re-evaluating recommendations related to physical activity affecting women's heart health and for implementing different approaches for different genders.