Heart Health and Physical Activity: Know How Are they Connected?

Physical activity in any form- walking, running, yoga, swimming or gardening, are beneficial for our body as they work on our muscles and use the energy reserves deposited all over our body. Being physically active is very important to stay healthy and to maintain our organ’s health and functioning.

Research and scientific reports have been examined and submitted explaining the relation between physical activity and cardiovascular health. The result was the establishment of a fact that more active and fit individuals tend to develop less coronary health disease and other related symptoms. In the past few decades, the rise in non-insulin-dependent diabetes or type II diabetes is substantial all due to lack of physical activity and fitness. Other diseases such as hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity were also observed which were developing due to a sedentary lifestyle.

Benefits of Physical Activity

A sedentary lifestyle along with increased blood pressure, abnormal values for blood lipid, obesity, and smoking are the 5 major factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Reducing these factors will help prevent the development of cardiovascular health issues. Regular physical activity has a favorable effect on these factors as it promotes weight reduction that helps in regulating blood pressure. Exercise reduces the harmful cholesterol levels, in diabetic patients, it affects the body’s natural ability to utilize insulin to control blood sugar levels. The effect of physical activity will help the overall cardiovascular system and when combined with further lifestyle modification help in complete prevention.

There are also physiological benefits such as improvement in muscular function and strength. There is also improvement in the body’s ability to use oxygen and maximum aerobic functioning, this helps in keeping body fatigue to minimum levels. It also helps the inability to perform daily activities and lesser likelihood of development of neck and back pain.

How to get started?

To get started it is important to be aware of your current condition. If you are above 45 years of age and are at high risk of developing cardiovascular conditions or are already an affected individual, it is important to consult your physician. It is necessary to start slow with moderate physical activity such as using stairs instead of elevators and walking to buy groceries.

For young adults, physical activity should be a little more intense with aerobic exercises included. Activities such as hiking, dance lessons, or sports are fun ways to improve your health where you can include your peers and family. It is also important to plan out your activities and have them spread all over the week.

Your fitness goals must be realistically set and accordingly, the drive and intensity of these activities must be set. It is also important to have a healthy diet that caters to your cardiovascular health.