Tango Your Way To Heart Health

Among the highlights during our recent trip to South America, was the colorful neighborhood of Caminito, where dancers tango down the streets of beautiful Buenos Aires.    As it turns out, dancing is one of the heart healthiest activities we can engage in.

Here are 3 reasons why you should dance as part of a lifestyle prescription for good overall health.

1. Dancing Keeps You Mentally Sharp:  Movement rich activities such as dancing helps to keep our brains young and vibrant by forming new connections.In fact, dancing may also slow the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
2. Dancing Reduces Heart Related Death: A large study found that moderate intensity dancing (as in doing the Tango) was associated with an approximate 50% lower risk of dying of a heart attack or stroke.
3. Tango Dancing Improves Socialization Skills and Emotional Health:  A survey of Tango dancers not only found superior physical health but also superb communication and socialization skills as well as emotional health and stability.                                                                                                                                                    Michael Miller, MD is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland USA.   His most recent book, “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease” is based on original research.