Regular physical activity is important for heart health, with exercise lowering cardiovascular disease risk by reducing stress-related signaling in the brain. A study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that individuals with depression benefited the most from physical activity, with a 23% reduced risk of heart disease among participants who met recommended activity levels. The study also observed that decreased stress-related brain activity was associated with improvements in executive brain function. The researchers suggested that clinicians inform patients about the potential brain effects of physical activity, especially for individuals with stress-related conditions like depression. More studies are needed to confirm causality.
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