Fit teens cut heart attack risk in half - study

[wayno]

Keeping fit as a teenager can halve the risk of heart attacks much later in life, a study has found.

Every 15 per cent increase in fitness at 18 years of age cuts the chances of a heart attack 30 years later by almost a fifth, according to scientists who studied data on more than 743,000 young national service conscripts in Sweden.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/new ... d=11183549

[photohiker]

I'm happy with that

(Rowed in the 1st eight at school when I was 18. Our heartrates were lower than the supposedly super fit Astronauts heading to the moon.)

I would caution that the diet in Sweden 30 years ago would have been a very high fat, high salt affair. These results may not transfer to the western diet.

[GPSGuided]

What the study have identified is an association but based on the media report, it made no suggestions on the mechanism of this apparent association. Off the top of my head, I wonder about the following factors,
- Habit: Early habit in exercises ("fitter") being carried into later life?
- Genetic: Intuitively healthy and fitter individuals by genetics would also be healthier in later life.
Of course, we are speaking at a population level so no need to counter with "I know someone..." More studies are required.

[wayno]

there are studies that show, how much you exercise far outweighs genetic factors in how healthy you remain as you get older.

[GPSGuided]

there are studies that show, how much you exercise far outweighs genetic factors in how healthy you remain as you get older.

Have not read such studies but if it is the case, then there's nothing too stunning with this current study.

[wayno]

Genes Are Not Destiny
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-pre ... d-obesity/

[GPSGuided]

Genes Are Not Destiny
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-pre ... d-obesity/

Of course not. But there are thousands of genes and each behaving in their own ways. Obesity is but one. It's insufficient proof over this present subject matter.

[wayno]

lots of studies show if people exercise and or eat well they are statistically less likely to have health issues than those that don't, regardless of hereditary background of health problems...
people wondered if the japanese were genetically protected from heart issues and obesity issues, but when they adopt a western diet and western lifestyle it turns out their health stats are identical to europeans with the same lifestyle...
the same happens for just about any other culture going through similar lifestyle changes....

[GPSGuided]

But one still can't deny the influence of genes on one's health and longevity. Look at those centenarians who eats average and being life long smokers.

[wayno]

But one still can't deny the influence of genes on one's health and longevity. Look at those centenarians who eats average and being life long smokers.

good genes don't hurt... as long as you don't rely on them entirely for a long life..