If you are stiff and can’t reach too far, don’t despair. New research suggests stretching exercises that increase flexibility could prevent or reverse the stiffening of arteries.

In a study entitled “Poor trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffening”, published in the American Journal of Physiology, researchers found that a sit-and-reach test was an accurate way to assess the flexibility of the arteries for people 40 and older.

Because arterial stiffness often precedes cardiovascular disease, this simple, non-invasive test could become a quick measure of a person’s risk for early death from heart attack or stroke.

This is one of many reasons why it’s important to stretch every single day.

Credit: S. L. Baker