Prevent Life-Threatening Heart Attacks By Making Changes On How You Commute To Work

According to a new study, you can avoid heart attacks by cycling or walking to work instead of riding a train, cab, car, or similar transportation. The study, which was co-authored by Jonny and Alistair Brownlee, Olympic medalists, and University of Leeds alumni, proved that active travel provides significant health benefits.

The Study

Researchers note that in places where cycling or walking to work are more common, heart attack occurrences decreased for both women and men. The researchers acknowledged though that leading a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes, and smoking, remain among the biggest risk factors for heart disease.

After considering these factors, the research team found a strong relationship between active commuting and additional health benefits. For men who rode bicycles to work, there is a 1.7% reduction in heart attack occurrences the following year. Women who walked to work saw their heart attack risk reduced by also at least 1.7%. The results of the research were published recently in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Alistair Brownlee, the co-author and Olympic triathlon champion, stated their study proved that exercise as an alternative means of going to work is related to reduced levels of heart attacks. He also added that there are many benefits of exercising regularly and that he supports any initiative that can help everyone to become active and stay that way.

Government Response

The government acknowledges the many benefits of active transport and its potential in tackling physical inactivity, air pollution, congestion, and climate change. Despite this revelation, however, the number of people who opt for this type of commuting remains very low.

The research team examined the 2011 UK Census data, which involved 43 million people who are between 25 and 74 years old and working in England. The researchers discovered that of this number, 11.4% were active commuters. They also found out that walking is the more popular mode compared to cycling.

Professor Chris Gale, a University of Leeds’ Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine Consultant, is the lead author of the study. He said while they cannot say with 100% certainty that active travel to work reduces heart attack risk, the study indicates a relationship between the two.