Coronary Heart Disease & Exercise

Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the arteries around the heart become clogged with fatty deposits. These arteries feed oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. If they are not functioning properly there is an increased risk of heart attack. One way to combat coronary artery disease is exercise.

Physical Evaluation

• Prior to beginning an exercise regimen consult with a physician. People with CAD (coronary artery disease) often have other medical issues. The duration and amount of exercise that a person can tolerate is dependent on their physical abilities.

Aerobic Exercise

• The American Heart Association's recommendation on how to improve overall physical fitness uses the formula: FIT. F is for frequency, the number of times per week. I is for intensity, how hard (moderate, vigorous). T is for time, how long a person exercises each session. For a healthy person moderate to vigorous aerobic activity for at least thirty minutes on a regular basis will improve over all physical fitness and lessen the risks of coronary artery disease.

Moderate Intensity Exercise

• There are low to moderate intensity exercises that contribute to over all physical fitness. Walking for pleasure, housework, and gardening are some daily activities that contribute to exercise regimens that lower the risk for coronary artery disease.

Other Risk Factors

• The risk of developing CAD are increased by smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Small, gradual increase of physical fitness through exercise and quitting smoking will decrease the risks of coronary artery disease.

Other Health Benefits

• Regular exercise helps reduce depression and promotes a feeling of well being. It helps joints and muscle to become stronger and healthier. Over all healthy feelings encourage a person to exercise more routinely. Risk factors for coronary artery disease decrease over time.