Exercise, mortality, . . . and other stories

Benefits of physical activityA couple of weeks ago, Minerva complained that, although studies showing physical exercise improved health outcomes were two a penny, most were small and their follow-up periods short. Here’s an exception, in which 400 000 adults who provided data on leisure time physical activity were tracked for around 12 years. Regular leisure time physical activity led to a 24% reduction in mortality in women and a 15% reduction in men. Men reached their maximal survival benefit from 300 minutes a week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Women, on the other hand, needed to exercise for only half as long to achieve the same benefit (J Am Coll Cardiol doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.019).Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorderMethylphenidate, atomoxetine, and lisdexamfetamine are the most commonly prescribed medications for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. A large Swedish case-control study finds that they are all associated with an increased likelihood of cardiovascular diseases—particularly hypertension and arterial disease and particularly…
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