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We hope you enjoyed our garden, if you would like a printed copy of the Health in Full Bloom brochure or would like to make appointment to see a specialist please contact us.
Look after your heart health
The research found that gardening is equally as good as regular exercise for the over 60's, mainly because it increases overall energy expenditure, as prolonged sitting drives down metabolic rate to the bare minimum, while standing up and physical activity increase it.
Physical activity and heart health study
The participants in the study; almost 4,000 sixty-year-olds in Stockholm, Sweden were asked to undertake a health check, where they were asked about their lifestyle, such as diet, smoking and alcohol intake, as well as how physically active they were.
They were asked how often they had completed a range of daily life activities, such as gardening, DIY, car maintenance and blackberry picking over the previous 12 months, as well as whether they had taken any formal exercise.
Their cardiovascular health was assessed by means of lab tests and physical examinations, to check on blood fats, blood sugars, and blood clotting factor, high levels of which are linked to a raised heart attack and stroke risk.
Dr Gavin Sandercock, reader in sport and exercise medicine at the University of Essex, said: “The study clearly shows that even moderate, non-exercise activity like gardening benefits the health of older adults.”
The highest level of daily physical activity was associated with a 27% lower risk of a heart attack or stroke and a 30% reduced risk of death from all causes, compared with the lowest level, irrespective of how much regular formal exercise was taken in addition.
Gardening is associated with increased cardiovascular exercise, and considered to be one of the most potent stress relieving stimuli. The soil itself has a knock-on effect of stimulating the brain to release chemicals to improve mental wellbeing. Gardening thus has huge impact on mental and cardiac health, with a significant reduction of depression, stress, weight loss, and even a reduction of heart attacks.
Dr Carl Shakespeare , Consultant Cardiologist
Cardiac care at The Lister Hospital
Looking after your heart is key to enjoying gardening activities to the maximum of your ability. Breathlessness or heart flutters can be a sign you're overdoing it, but they can also signify a more serious condition. No matter how small, don't be afraid to seek advice from a heart specialist.
The Lister Hospital have a number of leading cardiologists at their fingertips who can see you at short notice and help diagnose your symptoms, offering treatment as required.
