How many push-ups can you do?
The answer could be helpful to keeping your heart healthy, according to a study by Harvard and other institutions published by the American Medical Association.
Cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer worldwide. Contributing factors include diet, smoking, drink – and exercise. But predicting an individual’s likelihood to develop heart disease has been problematic. This survey seems to say that a quick test can act as a simple, no-cost and generally effective crystal ball.
The researchers studied the health of hundreds of men over several years. They didn’t set out to examine push-ups. But the data revealed that men who could complete 11 or more went on to have lower risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems later in life.
Men who could do 40 push-ups were 96 percent less likely to develop problems than those who couldn’t manage more than 10.
If you’re concerned, ask your doctor about how exercise and diet can lower your risk. We can get you started in the right direction or help keep you going if you’ve already begun your fitness journey.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.