The IAA One Minute Blog

A new study has found that everyday household activities including dishwashing, gardening and cooking count when it comes to helping older women reduce their risk for heart disease.

Household Chores and Your Heart

Women who got at least four hours of such daily life movement had a 43 percent lower risk of heart disease, a 30 percent lower risk of stroke, and a 62 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to women who clocked fewer hours than two hours each day.

Just like walking and other forms of exercise, daily movement improves blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and helps you maintain a normal weight, all of which will boost heart health.

For the study, more than 5,400 women wore a device for up to a week to track how much time they spent sitting, sitting in a vehicle, standing still, engaging in daily life movements, walking or running. Daily life movement was defined as getting dressed, preparing meals or gardening. Computer algorithms helped researchers classify this data.

The women ranged in age from 63 to 97 and did not have heart disease when they study began. After about 6.5 years of follow up, 616 were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, 268 had coronary heart disease, 253 had a stroke, and 331 women died of heart or artery disease.

Women who spent more time standing and moving were less likely to develop heart disease and/or die from it, the findings showed. And the more you do, the greater the benefits, the authors found.

The findings were published online in the “Journal of the American Heart Association.”   

Chores to Help Your Health

What are some chores that can help you improve your health?

1. Making the bed: Studies have shown that those who make their bed each morning take on the day with increased productivity. They also tend to feel more rested and energized throughout the day.
2. Yard work: People who do yard work have a 30 percent lower risk of suffering a first time heart attack or stroke, as compared to those who are more sedentary.
3. Cleaning the bathroom: A bathroom is an ideal place for harmful bacteria to grow. When you clean it regularly you reduce the chance of disease.
4. Growing flowers and vegetables: Taking part in activities in nature can help reduce the symptoms of depression.
5. Vacuuming: Thirty minutes of vacuuming can have the same benefits as 15 minutes of kickboxing. The motion associated with vacuuming will work out not only your arms, but your core and legs as well because of the pushing and pulling movements.

Don’t put off those chores; they could help improve your health!

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America is here to bring you updates on the world of health.  Just think of IAA as your third party health monitor, here to keep you in the know!

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