Dramatic stories about heart attacks in the midst of runs and rides can make it seem like exercise can be difficult for those with heart conditions. But a new recommendation guide may actually suggest otherwise.
Published in European Heart Journal, the guidelines come from a working group of the European Society of Cardiology and note that people with heart disease, as well as those without it, can benefit from regular exercise. are recommended at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise, spread over five to seven days.
For people with high blood pressure or dealing with obesity, the guidelines also recommend strength-building exercises, such as the training of strength, at least three times a week.
The biggest danger to your health is not exercising. That can not only make heart disease worse, but also increase the chance of developing the condition.
We live at a time when there is a growing trend towards a sedentary lifestyle and an emerging epidemic of obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Exercise protects from all these factors and reduces the risk of having a heart attack by 50 percent in the 60s and 70s, so exercise is essential.
Can exercise cause a heart attack?
It is possible, but rare, that exercise could trigger a heart attack in someone with underlying cardiovascular disease, so this should be considered when moving from a sedentary to an active lifestyle.
Risk can be assessed by simple measures that include cardiac symptoms or risk factors, such as age, la blood pressure systolic, the cholesterol total and the smoking. If this worries you, it's especially important to progress very gradually rather than launch into a very intensive workout.
For some conditions, such as very high blood pressure, weight lifting should be avoided until your blood pressure is controlled. Other conditions that can limit the intensity are the cardiomyopathy (a heart disease that makes it difficult for the heart muscle to pump blood to the rest of the body) and heart failure. For some people, some degree of cardiac rehabilitation may be recommended before engaging in moderate-intensity activity on your own.
In general, the goal of the guidelines is to encourage and promote safe exercise for all people, whether or not they have a heart condition. Talking to your doctor is the first step in assessing your risk, and then you can come up with a personalized exercise plan.