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Health

Can Aerobic Activities Lower the Risk of Cardiac Disease?

May 31, 2018 05:20 PM

Heart diseases are on the rise, andmany factors areleading to congestive heart failure in people around the world. The urban lifestyle coupled with smoking to beat stress, and bad eating habits is steering many people into an unhealthy abyss. In today’s time, where work occupies most people, health is starting to take a backseat.

The need of the hour is to focuson healthwhich starts with the heart. Congestive heart failure causes can be many including hypertension, cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease; but exercising is the most critical thing that can lower and even prevent the risk of such cardiac diseases. By exercising, and we mean aerobic exercises, one can keep their heart and overall health in shape.

What are Aerobic Exercises?

Aerobic exercises (also known as cardio) are the activities that requireconsumption of significantly more oxygen than at rest. Ranging from light to moderate, these activities not only help the heart beat faster but also lower the blood pressure without causing excessive fatigue, even whenperformed for a longer duration. Jogging, swimming, skipping, brisk walking and cycling at a steady pace are some typical examples of aerobic exercises. Furthermore, even dancing is a form of an aerobic activity.

Why are Aerobic Activities Good for the Heart?

Today, aerobic exercises are widely recognised to reduce the risk of various cardiac diseases, including congestive cardiac failure. According to various researchers and their studies, aerobic exercises help decrease inflammation which further reduces the risk of atherosclerosis – fatty build-up known as plaque which is the cause of most heart diseases.

The benefits of aerobic exercises can be classified under fitness and health, even though the two of them are linked. Here’s how aerobic exercises reduce the risk of heart diseases:

  1. 1.      Lowers Blood Pressure

Healthy lifestyles changes like doing aerobic exercises can significantly manage your hypertension. According to The American College of Sports Medicine, even 30 minutes of aerobic exercise such as brisk walking can help normalise blood pressure and is especially beneficial for people with hypertension.

  1. 2.      Reduces and Prevents Weight Gain

Several congestive heart failure causescan be narrowed down to obesity. Weight gain is linkedtocardiac diseases, and the risk factor multiplies by several folds. Hence, including aerobic exercises in daily life can help reduce weight and makethe heart stronger. Taking stairs instead of the elevator, short brisk walks, gardening, cycling are some activities people can include in their everyday life that can make a big difference in reducing the risk of heart diseases.

  1. 3.      Reduces Stress

Most people ignore how stressful their life is and continue living like that till the time they don’t land in a hospital chair. Stress is as much of a culprit as any other causes of congestive heart failure such as poor diet, obesity or lack of exercise. Adding aerobic activities to the daily routine can help in reducing stress while also promoting a better sleep cycle. Such exercises make one more resilient to everyday stressors.

  1. 4.      Reduces Bad Cholesterol

LDL or bad cholesterol is nothing short of a grim reaper. It is most commonly linked to several heart diseases and can be difficult to surface unless someone notices anycongestive heart failure symptoms or gets a lipid profile test done. Adding heart-friendly exercises such as jogging and swimming can lower the quantity of LDL cholesterol and improve overall function. Furthermore, aerobic exercises also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, blood cancer and colon cancer.

  1. 5.      Improved Fitness

With regular aerobic exercises, one can increase their cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance. It improvesthe capacity to use oxygen and increases the heart’s capacity to send more blood to the muscles. By doingregular cardio exercises, the size of heart’s ventricles increases, thereby enabling the heart to pump more blood. Aerobic activities will also improve heart function and endurance. So, if someone starts doing aerobic exercises, the effects will range from reduced risk of cardiac diseasesto higher stamina.

Aerobic exercises improve a range of health functions. However, it isimportant to consult a cardiologist if someone is already suffering from cardiac diseases such as congestive heart failure. Moreover, it isessential to not over-exercise as it can have a negative impact on the health. Make informed decisions and consult a doctor before setting up on a path toa healthier heart!

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