Long commutes may be harmful to your health

May 15, 2012 Health Care, Medicine Comments Off

Commuting distance is adversely associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity, adiposity, and blood pressure. The longer you drive to work, the more likely you are to be overweight and have high blood pressure according to Christine Hoehner, PhD, of Washington University in St. Louis, and colleagues in the June issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Those who commuted more than 15 miles to work were less likely to meet recommendations for moderate to vigorous physical activity, possibly because time spent commuting is time not spent in the gym. Those whose daily trip was 15 miles or more also were more likely to be obese, while those who traveled at least 10 miles had a greater risk of high blood pressure. There might be several reasons for the latter link, including the stress of battling congested roads day in and day out. [MedPage today]

Death risks higher for heart attack survivors living near major roadways

May 14, 2012 Health Care, Medicine Comments Off

Heart attack survivors who live about 100 meters or less from a major roadway face increased risk of death from all causes, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.

In the Determinants of MI Onset Study of 3,547 heart attack survivors (average age 62), researchers found:

  • Those living less than 100 meters from the roadway have a 27 percent increased risks of dying over 10 years than those living at least 1,000 meters away.
  • Those living 100 to 199 meters from the roadway have a 19 percent increased risks of death.
  • Those living 200 to 999 meters from the roadway have a 13 percent increased risk of death.

There is exposure to a combination of air pollution near these roadways and other exposure, such as excessive noise or stress from living close to the roadway, that may contribute to the study findings,” said Murray A. Mittleman, M.D., Dr. PH, study author and director of the Cardiovascular Research Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mass.

Eating too quickly may raise type 2 diabetes risk

May 12, 2012 Health Care, Medicine Comments Off

People who thoughtfully chew their food and don’t rush mealtimes not only avoid indigestion but also lower their chances of diabetes.

Eating too quickly may raise” the risk for type 2 diabetes, according to a study set for presentation at the International Congress of Endocrinology and European Congress of Endocrinology by Lithuania researchers.

They found that those who gobble down their food are 2.5 times more likely to have diabetes than those who take their time while eating.

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