from Stanford University School of Medicine
People born with a high genetic risk for heart disease might be tempted to adopt a “what’s the use” philosophy and give up on exercise. But research led by Stanford University School of Medicine found that physical activity helps fight that genetic risk of heart disease. They collected and studied data from nearly one-half million people. The result was that people with higher levels of grip strength, physical activity and cardio fitness had less risk of heart attacks and stroke even if they had a genetic predisposition for heart disease. Specifically, in people considered at high genetic risk for heart disease, high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with forty-nine percent lower risk for coronary heart disease.