Short bursts of vigorous exercise could protect women against hidden risks associated with cardiovascular disease, research has shown.
A misconception of heart disease being more associated with men has led to preventable deaths in women struck down by the hidden cardiac killer, experts have said.
A significant challenge facing doctors in diagnosing women is more subtle symptoms such as back pain or indigestion can be hard to track.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the Middle East and North Africa and is responsible for more than a third of all deaths, about 1.4 million people every year.
The study’s findings suggest VILPA can be an option for these patients, particularly women who have less time for physical activity
Dr Sachin Upadhyaya,
Aster Hospital, Mankhool
The World Heart Federation says the number of cardiovascular-related deaths regionally has risen 48 per cent in 30 years, with 40 per cent of deaths in Oman related to the condition, and 10 per cent in Somalia.
New research from the University of Sydney, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed just four minutes of vigorous exercise greatly reduced heart attacks in women who would not normally take part in regular exercise.
The 22,368 men and women aged 40-79 who took part wore fitness trackers every day for two years from 2013.
Fitness trackers
Their cardiovascular health was then monitored up to November 2022, to track cardiac events such as heart attack or stroke.
Researchers found the more vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity done, the lower the risk of cardiovascular events.
Data showed women who averaged 3.4 minutes of VILPA daily were 45 per cent less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event, and were half as likely to have a heart attack.
It also showed they were 67 per cent less likely to develop heart failure than women who did no VILPA at all.
“Making short bursts of vigorous physical activity a lifestyle habit could be a promising option for women who are not keen on structured exercise or are unable to do it for any reason,” said lead author Prof Emmanuel Stamakis, director of the university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health.
“As a starting point, it could be as simple as incorporating, throughout the day, a few minutes of activities like stair climbing, carrying shopping, uphill walking, playing tag with a child or pet, or either uphill or power walking.”
Similar benefits from short exercise bursts were not seen in men, however.
Those who averaged 5.6 minutes of daily exercise were just 16 per cent less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event compared with men who did none, while a minimum of 2.3 minutes per day was associated with only an 11 per cent risk reduction in heart attack or stroke.
Typically, vigorous bursts of exercise include anything lasting up to two minutes integrated into daily living, such as fast walking to catch a bus, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying shopping, walking uphill or playing with children.
Good habits
Researchers involved in the study said the results showed the importance of forming long-term habits, that could be sustained over a long period.
“One of the most important aspects of this study is the emphasis on accessibility,” said Dr Hesham Tayel, a specialist cardiologist at International Modern Hospital, Dubai.
“Many people, especially women in this age group, might feel structured exercises such as gym sessions or long runs are out of reach due to time constraints, motivation, or physical limitations.
“The idea of incorporating short, intense bursts of activity – such as taking the stairs, carrying groceries, or walking briskly – makes this intervention highly practical.
“It's an approach that can be easily integrated into daily life, without significant lifestyle changes.
“This study offers a valuable insight into how small changes in daily activity can make a significant impact on long-term health, particularly for women at risk of cardiovascular diseases.”
Both sexes increase their risk of cardiovascular disease if they are obese, smoke, have diabetes, high-blood pressure or have a family history of cardiac events.
Risk factors that disproportionately affect women are pre-menopausal spikes in testosterone production, hypertension and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Stress and depression, that is also generally more common in women, can also encourage cardiovascular disease along with a general lack of recognition of risk factors.
According to the World Health Organisation, the UAE has some of the world’s highest age-standardised death rates for CV disease, with 308 deaths per 100,000 men and 203 deaths for every 100,000 women.
National plan
A 2021 joint study between Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Health found that 55 per cent of 1,000 people asked had been impacted by heart disease, either directly or through a close family member.
In October, the Ministry of Health and Prevention launched Your Pulse, a national early detection system of screening for at-risk residents aged over 40.
The programme aims to reduce the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases by 33 per cent before 2030.
Costs of treating CV disease in the UAE are expected to rise in that time, rising from about $1.59 billion this year to $2.2bn by 2030.
“Cardiovascular disease risk reduction can be enacted through lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise and by reducing psycho-social stress,” said Dr Sachin Upadhyaya, a cardiologist at Aster Hospital, Mankhool.
“Regular physical activity in particular is beneficial to reduce CVD risk directly and reduces psycho-social stress.”
To reduce CVD risk, the European Society of Cardiology recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, aerobic exercise.
That equates to around 30-minute-long walks, five days a week or five 20-minute swims every week.
“The common reason cited by patients, particularly women, is lack of free time to pursue these recommended exercises,” said Dr Upadhyaya.
“The study’s findings suggest VILPA can be an option for these patients, particularly women who have less time for physical activity.
“It is advisable that elderly patients, or those with cardiovascular disease should be careful and consult their cardiologist before any vigorous activity.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
More from Neighbourhood Watch
New schools in Dubai
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
TEAMS
US Team
Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger
Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler
Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed
Matt Kuchar, Kevin Chappell
Charley Hoffman*, Phil Mickelson*
International Team
Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day
Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen
Marc Leishman, Charl Schwartzel
Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim
Jhonattan Vegas, Adam Hadwin
Emiliano Grillo*, Anirban Lahiri*
* denotes captain's picks
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on animal trafficking
Genesis G80 2020 5.0-litre Royal Specs
Engine: 5-litre V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 505Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km
Price: Dh260,500
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
More on Quran memorisation:
More on animal trafficking
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wes%20Ball%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Owen%20Teague%2C%20Freya%20Allen%2C%20Kevin%20Durand%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%2C%20flat%20six-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseven-speed%20PDK%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E510hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh634%2C200%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
