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Coronary Heart Disease & Exercise Facts

Coronary heart disease occurs when the arteries of the heart narrow due to buildup of fatty deposits and plaque. This can slow or stop the flow of blood to the heart, leading to shortness of breath, chest pain and heart attack. According to Medline Plus, coronary heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States.

  1. Risk Factors

    • According to the American Heart Association, physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing heart disease and contributes to other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and diabetes.

    Prevention

    • Regular exercise can help prevent heart disease before it develops and increase survival rates for people who have already suffered a heart attack.

    Effects

    • The heart is a muscle and exercising the muscle through aerobic activity makes it stronger and more efficient. Exercise can also lower triglyceride levels and raise levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.

    Recommendations

    • The American Heart Association recommends that healthy people perform at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. Your activity should increase your heart rate to 50 to 85 percent of its maximum.

    Exercises

    • Although any exercise is helpful, jogging, swimming, brisk walking, aerobics, hiking, and biking are especially valuable for heart health.

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