Trunk Flexibility Tied to Heart Health

Study Shows a Simple Flexibility Test May Determine Artery Health

According to a study by the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo, Japan which was published in the American Journal of Physiology (October 2009; 297(4):1314-8), individuals with less muscle flexibility had higher risks of artery stiffness.

Researchers tested the ability of participants to touch their toes with their fingertips while in a seated position, and their legs flat on the floor. Those with poor truck or body flexibility when tested also had higher arterial stiffness and higher blood pressure.

Arteries stiffen as a consequence of age and arteriosclerosis. Age related stiffness occurs when the elastic fibers within the arterial wall (elastin) begin to fray due to mechanical stress. The two leading causes of death in the developed world, myocardial infarction and stroke, are both a direct consequence of atherosclerosis. Increased arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The World Health Organization predicts that in 2010, cardiovascular disease will also be the leading killer in the developing world and represents a major global health problem.

Researchers believe that there may be several reasons for the connection between core trunk muscle flexibility and the health of arteries, but regardless concluded that regular stretching and exercise can have a positive long-term effect on arteries and maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

The Heart-Oral Health Connection

In addition to regular exercise and stretching, many studies have found a connection between the health of the mouth and heart health. Researchers believe that the key to the heart/mouth relationship lies in the gums.

According to a recent study published in the  Journal of Periodontology, people with periodontal disease are at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease than those with healthy gums.

The study found that study participants with gum disease had higher levels of harmful bacteria in the bloodstream – up to four times more than study participants with healthy gums.