Vacations Reduce Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases: Study

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The latest study published by the Psychology and Health journal reported by the Indian Express on Monday, June 24, confirmed that any type of vacation is able to not only relieve stress, but also reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

“What we found is that people who go on vacation more frequently in the past 12 months have a lowered risk for metabolic syndrome and metabolic symptoms,” said Bryce Hruska, assistant professor at Syracuse University, US.

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. People showing this symptom have a higher risk of being struck by cardiovascular diseases.

This is further confirmed by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) chairperson, dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp. A (K), who said that signs of metabolic syndrome comprised an abdominal circumference of 90 centimeters for males and 80 centimeters for females. 

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Another sign is by having a blood pressure over 130/85 mmHg, cholesterol HDL below 40 and 50 (for female patients), triglycerides over 150, and fasting blood sugar levels above 100.

“Metabolic syndromes can be modified, that means it can be prevented or treated,” said

For the study, the researchers included 63 employees eligible for paid vacations. The participants underwent blood tests and completed an interview assessing vacationing behaviors in the past 12 months, quoted by the Indian Express. 

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The study’s findings showed that the risk for metabolic syndrome declined by nearly a quarter with each additional vacation taken by participants.

“One of the important takeaways is that vacation time is available to nearly 80 percent of full-time employees, but fewer than half utilize all the time available to them. Our research suggests that if people use more of this benefit, one that’s already available to them, it would translate into a tangible health benefit,” Hruska concluded in the health journal.

ANTARA