Beginning An Exercise Routine When You Already Have Heart Disease
Saturday, June 4th, 2011Exercise has many health benefits and best way for cholesterol diet plan including making your heart healthy. But for those who have heart disease, an exercise program is not as simple as pulling on the walking shoes. When precautions are taken, however, a daily 30-minute walk can have many benefits.
When exercise is a concern
Exercise is not a concern for everyone with symptoms of heart disease but it good for person who plan to have cholesterol diet plan . For example, those borderline high cholesterol levels probably do not need to talk to their doctor before starting any exercise program. But for those with more severe symptoms, such as heart attack or recent stroke, it is imperative that the activity will be supervised by a health professional. People with symptoms or criteria need to talk with a doctor before starting an exercise program:
* Chest pain or pressure in the last months, especially if pain occurs during or after exercise
* Pain or pressure in the left arm or shoulder during or after exercise
* Weakness or dizziness during or after exercise
* Difficulty in breathing during light activity
* History of stroke, heart attack or any other type of heart surgery
* The use of medication for blood pressure, cholesterol or heart disease
* History of diabetes mellitus
* Recent, long sedentary
Benefits of exercise
Exercise is beneficial for the health of nearly everyone – even patients with a history of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), regular exercise lowers blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol. The AHA also reports that those who exercise regularly are less likely to be at risk for diabetes and obesity. According to a study published in the International Journal of Cardiology, exercise reduces inflammation in people with coronary artery disease. The inflammation in the arteries can cause a condition called atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of an individual to heart disease and heart attack. In this study, patients participated in an aerobic training program of 12 weeks. At baseline, 72% of study subjects had a level of anti-inflammatory protein that has been considered in the category “high risk”. After the training program, only 39% of study subjects were in the high risk category.
Selecting an exercise program forlow cholesterol diet planSelecting an exercise program is a personal decision. You need to find something you like and be able to maintain. This is particularly important because a recent study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that after a cardiac rehabilitation program, patients who have learned strategies to prevent relapse due to a maintenance program of exercise have was 76% more likely to continue to exercise.
Almost any activity will be beneficial, as long as you raise your heart rate for more than 12 minutes. Studies show that most cardiovascular benefit occurs during exercise between 60-80% of your maximum heart rate. To find your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220.
Walking is an excellent way to begin an exercise program. This popular activity can reduce cardiovascular events in women and men. A study of the Women’s Health Initiative found that women who walked for a minimum of 2.5 hours per week was “a 30% reduction in cardiovascular events during a follow-up of 3.2 years.” Some doctors may tell patients not to lift weights after a cardiac event, but a recent study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, who analyzed the effort involved in everything from closing a door of the microwave to lift a ten pound dumbbell, found that this requirement is too simple. Instead, the authors state that “patients and cardiac rehabilitation specialists should work together on activities patients can safely perform, monitor symptoms rather than the weight used.”
Precautions
Starting slowly and listen to your body are key to starting an exercise program. Do not head out the door for a four-mile walk on your first day. Begin by walking a mile or simply walk for 20 minutes. Add additional minutes if you feel challenged. While working on, be aware of warning signs of overexertion. Stop and talk to your doctor if you feel dizzy or have difficulty breathing after light activity. Get medical help as soon as possible if you have signs of a heart attack, which include excessive sweating, dizziness, shooting pains in the arm or neck, and chest pain.