A new study has shown that exercise could be as effective as prescription drugs in the fight against many common illnesses. Researchers found that patients with conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and those at risk of strokes reacted as positively to exercise as they did to medication. VoR's Simon Parker reports.
Researchers found that patients with conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and those at risk of strokes reacted as positively to exercise as they did medication. Academics from the London School of Economics and the Harvard Medical School say that further research is urgently needed. They believe exercise should be considered a viable alternative to some medicines and have stressed the need to lead a life that includes regular exercise. “We are all leading more sedentary lifestyles,” said Nikki Hill from the Stroke Association. “We often spend all day behind a desk so it can be hard for all of us to get the exercise we need to, but sometimes it’s just small changes that can help.” For stroke patients exercise was proven to be more beneficial than medicine – but for people with heart failure, diuretic drugs appear to be better than exercise. Medical experts have been quick to stress that patients should continue to follow their prescribed course of treatment and exercise is not always the best option. Katharine Greathead from Heart Research UK hopes the latest study will place more of an emphasis on illness prevention rather than merely relying on medicines as a cure. (Voice of Russia) Simon Parker, Source: Voice of Russia
