Regular exercise reduces the risk of serious illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The UK National Health Service (NHS) recommends all adults engage in daily physical activity, ideally a combination of muscle-strengthening and aerobic exercises, totaling 150 minutes per week.
American cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Dmitry Yaranov recently emphasized that even a few minutes of increased daily activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing "deadly blood clots" that increase the risk of heart problems.
In an Instagram video with over 3.6 million views, Dr. Yaranov explained, “Most doctors never mention this. You don't have just one heart, you have two. One is in your chest. The second is in your calves.”
“Every step, every tiptoe, every muscle contraction pushes blood back to your real heart, keeping your circulatory system alive and preventing deadly blood clots,” he said.
Dr. Yaranov further explained, “The problem is our modern lifestyle is killing it.” He added that prolonged sitting and reduced walking contribute to muscle loss as we age.
He also noted that when the “second heart” weakens, the heart in the chest works harder. Blood circulation slows, the body swells, blood pressure rises, and the risk of heart failure increases dramatically.
“Move, walk every day, tiptoe at your desk, take the stairs. Keep your calf muscles strong for life,” he advised.
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People exercising along the Han River, Da Nang, 5/2024. Photo: Nguyen Dong |
People exercising along the Han River, Da Nang, 5/2024. Photo: Nguyen Dong
Previous studies indicate 10,000 daily steps can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and premature death. Other research suggests 7,000 daily steps are sufficient to lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Numerous studies also highlight the importance of walking speed. Last month, American scientists studying over 79,850 adults discovered that short bursts of brisk walking are more beneficial than three hours of slow walking.
Hoang Dung (According to Mail)
