Tea or a pill preferred over running to combat high blood pressure risk
People are more likely to choose taking a pill or drinking a cup of tea over exercise to stay healthy, a new study has found.
The research by Yale University found one in 14 would not take exercise even if it meant them having an extra five years of life, say scientists.
A survey suggests that only a monthly jab is less appealing than regular physical activity when it comes to combating high blood pressure.
Referred to by doctors as the “silent killer” hypertension affects more than one in four adults in the UK.
It causes around half of all heart attacks and strokes and can be prevented or reduced simply by taking regular exercise.
Brisk walks, jogging or cycling are especially recommended.
In the first survey of its kind heart specialists asked 1,384 men and women about their willingness to adopt any of four 'treatments' to gain an extra month, year or five years of life.
Most were under 45 and had high blood pressure.
Pills came out on top ahead of a daily cup of tea, exercise and monthly or twice yearly injections.
Unsurprisingly, the US participants were more favourable towards each when the benefit was greater.
But some said they would not adopt any - even if it meant living for another five years.
Almost eight in ten (79 per cent) were willing to take a pill for an extra month of life - rising to 90 and 96 per cent for another year and five years, respectively.
The results were almost as high for tea which is sometimes advised because it is rich in antioxidants - 78, 91 and 96 per cent, respectively.
But when it came to exercise there was an overall drop to 63, 84 and 96 per cent, respectively.
A monthly jab was the least preferred option - 51, 74 and 88 per cent, respectively.
However, if it was just one injection every six months this rose to 68, 85 and 93 per cent, respectively.
The study presented at an American Heart Association meeting in Arlington, Virginia, also found at least one in five respondents wanted gains in life expectancy beyond what any of the individual interventions could provide.
Lead author Erica Spatz, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, said the aim was to find out how people weigh the benefits of treatment options against its inconvenience.
What blood pressure readings mean
Prof Spatz said: "Our findings demonstrate people naturally assign different weights to the pluses and minuses of interventions to improve cardiovascular health.
"I believe we need to tap into this framework when we are talking with patients about options to manage their blood pressure.
"We are good about discussing side effects, but rarely do we find out if other inconveniences or burdens may be impacting a person's willingness to take a lifelong medication or to exercise regularly."
High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart and blood vessel, or cardiovascular, disease. It is dubbed the silent killer because it causes no symptoms.
To prevent high blood pressure, the American Heart Association recommends getting regular physical activity, in addition to other lifestyle changes.
These include eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking.
It is also important to work with a healthcare provider and to properly take blood pressure reducing medications, if prescribed.
