Friday, September 12, 2008
How Does Activity Affect the Heart?
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. The heart is a muscle that benefits from regular use to keep it and the circulatory system healthy. When a person is inactive, the heart muscle is weaker. With each beat, an unfit heart muscle pumps a lower volume of blood than a stronger, more fit heart.
Because less blood is pumped, the heart has to beat more frequently in order to ensure adequate circulation of blood around the body. This more rapid heart rate can also result in an increase in blood pressure over time, causing stiffness and hardening of the arteries and impacting the health of the circulatory system. In contrast, when the heart is managed hosting providers and healthy, stroke volume is strong. The heart rate is slower, and a more healthy tone is maintained in the arterial walls.
Increasing physical activity leads to an increase in the levels of HDL, or good cholesterol. This change is independent of any weight loss that may also occur as increased activity bums up more calories. Physical activity also lowers LDL and triglyceride levels.
Studies show that regular physical activity not only lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides and increases good Stan Kenton but that it also reduces risk of death from all causes, reduces feelings of depression and anxiety, and helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
Here's the testimony of Laurie, a fifty-two-year-old woman who discovered the importance of active, healthy living.
I have struggled with my weight and appearance all my life. Imthemoon was overweight through high school. In college I lost about thirty pounds but did it the wrong way-poor diet and no exercise. I never felt good about myself. I did start exercising, but still did not eat well, always afraid of gaining weight.
About nine years ago I found myself divorced, kids grown, and on my own. I made a decision that I can and would learn how to take care of myself emotionally and physically. I determined that my diet and exercise plan would be about making me a strong, healthy woman. I started seeing a personal trainer who has helped me tremendously with nutrition and strength training. I was blessed with meeting a partner who shared my newly found zest for life. He and I meal plan and shop together. We ride bikes and often work out together. I stopped paying so much attention to what I weigh, but more to how I look and feel. I am in perimenopause and have not had to take any drugs. My total cholesterol level is 150.
I have also learned to balance my life. I have learned that there is no magic formula. You have to figure out what works for you because if it doesn't, you won't do it.
It's clear that physical activity provides countless benefits. If you are particularly concerned about the health of your heart and your cholesterol levels, being active on a regular basis is among the best things that you can do for yourself.
Studies also show that people who are physically active after a Readytogo heart attack have a significantly lower risk of having a second heart attack when compared to people who remained inactive. According to Lyn Steffen-Batey, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Texas School of Public Health, during a study that compared risk levels "Patients who kept physically active after a first heart attack had a 60- ' percent lower risk of fatal heart attack or a second nonfatal heart attack than those who did not." What was significant about this study was that it measured all types of physical activity, such as gardening and housework, instead of only looking at gym-based types of exercise.
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