Brisk walk ‘works better for men’

EXERCISE has fewer health benefits for middle-aged women than men, a study has found.

A woman going for a brisk walk with her partner will benefit less in terms of relaxing her arteries and lowering her blood pressure, say scientists.

A reduction in the stiffness of the arteries can lower the risks of developing heart or circulatory disease.

The stiffness is a product of ageing, high cholesterol and fatty diets and puts more strain on the heart.

The blood vessels of 12 middle-aged men and 12 post-menopausal women were tested by researchers at Loughborough University an hour after they went for a brisk walk.

Research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester showed both groups had improved arterial stiffness and blood pressure but stiffness was still higher in women.

The researchers are now looking at whether daily folic acid supplements could help postmenopausal women in relaxing their blood vessels.

Jen Craig, the PhD student undertaking the research under the lead of Dr Emma O’Donnell, said: ‘Regular physical activity is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

‘However, regular exercise does not seem to benefit the blood vessels of post-menopausal women as much as it does their male counterparts.

‘If we are to help women to decrease their risk of heart disease we need to consider alternative strategies that may enable these women to maximise their benefits from engaging in regular exercise.’

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘This research adds to our understanding of the relationship between physical activity and heart disease as we get older.

‘If you’re more physically active you give yourself the best chance of a heart-healthy retirement.

‘And although post-menopausal women don’t see quite the same exercise benefits as men, staying active will still reduce their overall risk of developing heart disease.’