May 23, 2025

Your Balance Predicts Heart and Brain Health - AI Podcast

9 minutes

Story at-a-glance

Balance is a foundational skill your body uses constantly, from standing up and reaching to walking across a room. It’s also a powerful indicator of overall health, especially heart and brain function
Research shows that impaired balance predicts future cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, even in adults with no prior heart conditions
Poor balance in older adults is also strongly linked to increased dementia risk. Those with lower balance times face significantly higher rates of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia
To assess your balance at home, try doing simple tests like standing on one leg for 10 seconds or completing the “timed up and go” test in under 12 seconds
Incorporate activities like heel-to-toe walking, chair-supported squats, stability ball use, gentle tai chi or yoga, and ankle strengthening exercises into your daily workout routine to improve your balance

...more

By Dr. Mercola

4.6

14461,446 ratings

May 23, 2025

9 minutes

Story at-a-glance

Balance is a foundational skill your body uses constantly, from standing up and reaching to walking across a room. It’s also a powerful indicator of overall health, especially heart and brain function
Research shows that impaired balance predicts future cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, even in adults with no prior heart conditions
Poor balance in older adults is also strongly linked to increased dementia risk. Those with lower balance times face significantly higher rates of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia
To assess your balance at home, try doing simple tests like standing on one leg for 10 seconds or completing the “timed up and go” test in under 12 seconds
Incorporate activities like heel-to-toe walking, chair-supported squats, stability ball use, gentle tai chi or yoga, and ankle strengthening exercises into your daily workout routine to improve your balance

...more