Science

The number of pushups you can do may reveal your heart attack risk

Your pushup count could be a surprisingly effective indicator of cardiovascular health. ©Image Credit: Unsplash / Gard Pro

Think pushups are just a way to build upper body and core strength? It turns out they might also offer a useful snapshot of your heart health.

A Harvard-backed study found that the number of pushups you can crank out in one go may be linked to your risk of future cardiovascular problems. No smartwatch required.

How your pushup count predicts cardiovascular health

In the study, men who could do 40 or more consecutive pushups had a much lower risk of future cardiovascular events than those who could do 10 or fewer.

Researchers found pushup capacity was a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk than a sub-maximal treadmill test in the study.

So, basically, pushups can become an easy, no-cost screening tool for assessing cardiovascular health in almost any setting.

This is not an isolated finding. According to multiple studies, muscle strength is closely linked to longevity. Grip strength has been shown to predict future illness and disability, while reduced grip strength has been associated with a higher risk of death from all causes.

In addition, a Mayo Clinic Proceedings study found people with the lowest muscle power were six to seven times more likely to die than those with the highest muscle power.

Before you start frantically chasing 40 reps...

Keep in mind that the goal is not to become a professional pushup machine. After all, the study only included male firefighters, so the findings cannot automatically be generalized to everyone.

Being able to do lots of pushups is usually the result of building overall strength through consistent exercise. Whether you're doing pushups, bench presses, pull-ups, squats, or deadlifts, improving your strength over time is what really counts.

In other words, instead of training for the number, train for a healthier, stronger body, and the number will often take care of itself.

Also keep giving your body a reason to adapt. That might mean squeezing out one extra rep, shortening your rest time, adding a little resistance, or simply staying consistent week after week. Small improvements stack up faster than most people realize.

Source: Inc.

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