The British Journal of Sports Medicine has published a study that finds being consistently physically active in adulthood is linked to a 30-40% lower risk of death from any cause in later life. This means that even if you haven’t been active throughout your life, it’s never too late to start moving more and reap the benefits. In fact, switching to a more active lifestyle at any point in adult life may extend your lifespan.

The study analyzed data from 85 studies that measured physical activity at two or more points in time. The results showed that consistently active people had around a 30-40% lower risk of dying from any cause, while those who increased their levels of physical activity from below the recommended levels had a 20-25% lower risk of death from any cause.

The researchers also found that generally, the associations observed between a high level of physical activity and a lower risk of death were more evident for cardiovascular disease than for cancer. However, the evidence for the associations between physical activity patterns and death from a specific cause remained inconclusive, especially for death from cancer.

Despite these limitations, the study’s findings have important public health implications. The researchers emphasize the importance of sustained physical activity over time and suggest that future interventions may not only target inactive people but also support active people to maintain their activity.

In conclusion, this study highlights the power of movement in adding years to your life. Whether you’re 20 or 60, it’s never too late to start exercising regularly and reap the benefits for your overall health and well-being. So, get moving and make physical activity a priority in your life!

The Crucial Connection Between Sleep and Heart Health: What Women Over 45 Need to Know

For women over 45, the menopause transition can be a critical period for cardiovascular health. According to recent research published in Menopause, only about 1 in 5 women achieve optimal scores using the American Heart Association’s health-assessment tool, known as Life’s Essential 8 (LE8). This study highlights the significance of four key components driving future cardiovascular risks: blood glucose, blood pressure, sleep quality, and nicotine use.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Baylor University analyzed data from approximately 3,000 women who participated in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). The team compared the women’s LE8 scores at baseline to their evolving health trajectories over time. The results showed that four LE8 components – blood glucose, blood pressure, sleep quality, and nicotine use – were the most important factors influencing future cardiovascular risks.

Notably, sleep emerged as a crucial predictor for long-term effects of cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality. Meeting the bar for healthy sleep, defined in Life’s Essential 8 as seven to nine hours on average for most adults, may contribute to women’s heart health and longevity. However, only 21% of midlife women studied had an ideal LE8 score.

“With heart disease being the leading cause of death in women, these findings point to the need for lifestyle and medical interventions to improve heart health during and after menopause among midlife women,” said senior author Samar R. El Khoudary, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of epidemiology at Pitt’s School of Public Health.

This study underscores the importance of prioritizing sleep as a critical component in maintaining long-term cardiovascular health for women over 45. By making informed lifestyle choices and seeking medical attention when needed, women can take control of their heart health during this critical period.

A recent study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has found that patients who undergo “tummy tuck” surgery (abdominoplasty) to remove excess skin and tissue after weight loss continue to lose weight in the months and years after surgery. The study, which followed 188 patients for up to five years after their procedure, found that many of these individuals were able to achieve significant and sustained weight loss.

According to the researchers, who were led by Dr. John Y.S. Kim from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, patients who underwent abdominoplasty surgery experienced an average weight loss of between five and six pounds at three to six months after their procedure. This weight loss continued over time, with an average loss of about five pounds between one and four years after surgery.

By the time of their five-year follow-up, patients had lost an average of nearly ten pounds, which is a significant reduction in body mass index (BMI). The researchers also found that about 60% of patients experienced weight loss during this period. Furthermore, they discovered that older patients, those who underwent liposuction or lipectomy at the same time as their abdominoplasty, and those who had never smoked were more likely to continue losing weight after surgery.

While the study’s findings are encouraging for individuals considering abdominoplasty surgery, it is essential to note that the researchers could not definitively explain why patients continued to lose weight after surgery. However, they suggested that patients may have developed healthy habits centered around nutrition and exercise that contributed to their long-term weight loss.

Overall, this study provides valuable new evidence that post-abdominoplasty weight reduction is a quantifiable phenomenon and highlights the need for further research into factors associated with sustained weight loss in patients who undergo abdominoplasty surgery.