Exercise May Help Those With Stress Disorders Even More

Regular physical activity provides many health benefits, including in the areas of weight management, cognitive function, and cardiovascular health. A recent study has found that people with stress disorders, including depression or anxiety, may experience up to twice the cardiovascular benefit from regular physical activity compared to those without such conditions.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital used the health records of more than 50,000 adults for their study. They compared the incidences of major coronary events in patients who exercised at least 150 minutes per week to those who did not. They then compared incidences of major coronary events in those with depression or anxiety and those without.

The researchers found that participants who got at least 150 minutes of exercise per week had a 17% less risk of a major coronary event. They also found that participants with depression or anxiety who exercised regularly had a 22% reduced risk of a major coronary event, compared to a 10% reduction for those without depression or anxiety.

The study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 71st Annual Scientific Session on April 2, 2022.

A previous study found that exercise may help relieve feelings of anxiety.