Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension and Exercise
December 2nd, 2008
There have been many studies performed which prove a direct link between habitual exercise and a vigorous healthy heart. Any type of exercise that will make demands on the cardiovascular system otherwise known as aerobic exercise will tend to increase the strength of the heart and reduce the more common risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.
Lowering the blood pressure is only one way that exercise assists in keeping the heart healthy, as it also lowers the levels of fat in the blood, discourages the formation of clots or thrombosis, assists us in keeping our body weight stable, releases tension and also releases endorphins into the blood stream that give us a feeling of well being.
Many of us tend to view exercise with a jaundiced eye. We often make excuses that we don’t have the time to exercise where in reality we can’t be bothered.
It is a struggle sometimes to make the effort to get up and get ready to go to the gym or for a long walk or even swimming or cycling, especially if we have had a hard day at work. However once the effort is made, it’s surprising how those feelings of exhaustion can dissipate as those good feeling factors kick in.
The best approach to take when starting an exercise regime is to take it easy. It probably sounds a contradiction in terms, but if you are hopelessly unfit, trying to take on a workout which is more suited to someone of better fitness levels is just asking for trouble.
And for goodness sake don’t even think about taking up a high energy sport such as squash. You’re just liable to do yourself an injury and if you are hopelessly unfit, you could make your blood pressure rise to an alarming level and brink on a heart attack or stroke.
Aim for about 3 20-30 minute sessions every week. Think about going for a few brisk walks, (take the dog if you have one). or get out your cycle, brush the cobwebs off it and start riding it. (Cycling is an excellent form of exercise).
If you want to start a completely new exercise that is fun as well as healthy, consider taking up horse riding. You’ll not only get fit, you’ll learn a whole new skill in the process.
Many people take up horse riding when they are older, and they find caring for their horse, mucking out the stable and actually learning to ride not only helps them to become fit, it also assists in reducing their stress levels which in turns helps to reduce their blood pressure and stave off heart disease.
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