An active commute to work is linked to a lower rate of heart attacks according to a new study which the British Heart Foundation part-funded.

In areas in England where walking or cycling to work were more common in 2011, the rates of heart attacks were lower for both men and women across the following two years.

The researchers from the University of Leeds acknowledged that this difference in heart attack rates could be partly explained by differences in risk factors for heart disease such as lack of exercise, having obesity, smoking and diabetes across England.

However, for two groups - women who walked to work and men who cycled to work - the protective link remained when the researchers adjusted for these risk factors.

Last Update
4 years ago  
Geographic Coverage
  • United Kingdom