Exercise is very important to heart disease and many other diseases. Physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burn calories (AHA, 2017). This includes swimming, walking, biking, running, and many other activities. The AHA suggests at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week.
Benefits of exercise:
·
Strengthen heart and cardiovascular system
·
Improve circulation
·
Strengthen bones
·
Lower blood pressure
·
Help lose/maintain body weight
·
Helps control blood sugar/diabetes
·
Helps with mood/depression
·
Stress relief
Always consult with your
doctor before starting an exercise program (Freeman, 2016). Here are some
questions to ask your doctor:
·
How much exercise can I do
·
How often should I exercise
·
What type of exercise can I do
·
What if anything should I avoid
·
When should I take my medication around my
exercise schedule
·
Do I have to monitor my pulse during
exercises
When
starting a new exercise program here are some things to keep in mind:
·
Start slowly- don’t overdo it
·
Remember to stretch before and after you
exercise
·
Wear appropriate clothing for the exercise
·
During hot weather- exercise indoors or in
morning or evening when weather is cooler
·
During cold weather make sure to keep nose
and mouth covered or exercise indoors
·
Make sure and stay hydrated
·
Get advice from professional trainer or
physical therapist on how to do exercises appropriately so you don’t hurt
yourself
·
Think about joining an exercise group or
class this can give you support
·
Always carry your nitro pills with
you.
Physical exercise can be
too much for your body and heart. Here are some of the warning signs that you
need to watch out for:
·
Overly short of breath or fatigued
·
Nauseated
·
Irregular heart beat
·
Chest pain
·
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Stop
exercise and notify your doctor to discuss the symptoms to see if changes in
treatment need to be done.
Muscles
that aren’t used become weak and atrophy the heart is a muscle and needs
exercise just like any other muscle. To become stronger and healthier muscles
need to be utilized regularly. Exercise helps the heart pump blood through the
body more efficiently and also helps keep the arteries and other blood vessels
flexible. Inactivity has been proven to be detrimental. Sedentary people tend
to have a higher risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure.
It
can be hard to incorporate exercise into our lives. Everyone is busy and taking
the time to exercise can seem impossible. There are ways to work exercise into
our daily lives. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Going on a
short walk at lunchtime and during breaks. Walk or ride bike to work if
possible. Park far away from entrance at stores to get more steps in. Just
remember the benefits of exercise is plentiful. Something is better than
nothing.
American
Heart Association (February 2014). Recommendations for Physical Activity in
Adults. Retreived from, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/American-Heart-Association-Recommendations-for-Physical-Activity-in-Adults_UCM_307976_Article.jsp#.WpyZE6inHIU
MedlinePlus
(2016, August 22). Being active when you have heart disease. Retrieved from, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000094.htm
National
Jewish Health (2016, January 1). Safe Exercise for Patients with Heart Disease.
Retrieved from, https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/cardiac-conditions/exercise-and-heart-disease
Story, C. (April 10, 2012). Heartline. Can Exercise Reverse or Prevent Heart Disease. Retrieved from, https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/exercise
Story, C. (April 10, 2012). Heartline. Can Exercise Reverse or Prevent Heart Disease. Retrieved from, https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/exercise
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