Low physical activity can lead to higher risks of premature death. Most common deaths in America are due to heart disease which can be prevented with few extra minutes spent on physical movements every day, suggests cardiologists from Mayo Clinic, reports Medical Xpress.
Sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of early deaths due to several diseases. Irregular or absolutely no physical activity can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. "When I tell people that almost 80 percent of heart disease is preventable, they are surprised," said Mayo cardiologist Martha Grogan, M.D., medical editor-in-chief of Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life! "Better yet, there are daily things we all can do that can make a big difference in our effort to keep our hearts healthy."
Dr. Grogan suggests that extra 10 minutes of regular physical activity can reduce the risk of heart diseases by almost 50 percent. Sedentary lifestyle can be compared to similar damage as smoking does.
"Moving even 10 minutes a day for someone who's been sedentary may reduce the risk for heart disease by 50 percent," Dr. Grogan said, according to Medical Xpress report.
As important physical activity is to our body, it is highly essential that the body gets proper rest. Constant lack of sleep can also pose a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attacks, diabetes and depression.
"Sleep is a necessity, like food and water. It's not a luxury," said Virend Somers, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and sleep expert.
Doing things differently can play a major role in a healthy lifestyle.
"There's a saying that heart disease is what nature gives you for breaking its rules," said Randal Thomas, M.D., a Mayo preventive cardiologist "But you have a second chance. Healthy lifestyle habits can help you reduce a majority of your risks for heart attack."
