Running Reduces Risk of Death Due to Cardiovascular Disease

“running, even 5-10 minutes a day and at low speeds, is associated with a markedly reduced risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease.”

One of the concepts that we embrace at Pumps and Push Ups, as well as in my office, is that you often don’t have to make big changes to get big results. Frequently, it is the small changes that are made consistently that lead to the big results.

Now there is further medical evidence to support this from a recent article published the July 2014 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

This study compared the results of runners vs. non runners in regards to the risk of death, both from all causes and those from cardiac causes alone, over 15 years. The conclusion; “running, even 5-10 minutes a day and at low speeds, is associated with a markedly reduced risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease.” Runners had a 30% and 45% lower risk of all causes and cardiovascular deaths, respectively, with a three year life expectancy benefit. Persistent runners has even greater benefit, up to a 50% lower risk of cardiac death compared to non runners.

While these benefits may also apply to other forms of exercise, this study only looked at runners. The takeaway; taking only 5-10 minutes of your day to be active can have a great impact on your health! Small changes, can have big results.

– Dr. V