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Physical Activity & Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease occurs because of narrowing of blood vessels. This reduces the blood and oxygen supply to the heart. Atherosclerosis is the common cause of coronary heart disease. This condition means that fatty material and plaque has built up on artery walls. Narrow arteries slow down or stop blood flow to the heart. Physical activity reduces coronary heart disease risks and can even reverse some symptoms.

  1. Symptoms

    • You can have coronary heart disease without experiencing any symptoms. Common symptoms include chest pain or discomfort that feels like someone squeezing your heart, chocking it of oxygen. The pain may appear with activity or stress and diminish with rest or nitroglycerin tablets. You may experience pain in your neck, arms, stomach or upper back. Other symptoms include feeling short of breath and fatigued. Physical exercise improves these conditions.

    Exercise and Health Risks

    • Inactivity is the primary risk factor of coronary heart disease. It is often the precursor to obesity and other conditions associated with heart disease. Physical activity three to five times a week decreases many of these risks. Exercise reduces your susceptibility to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels, and in conjunction with diet and medication therapy, can help control these health problems. Exercise can even reverse these health problems in some cases. Exercise helps you lose or control weight and body fat and supports your efforts to stop smoking.

    Heart Muscles

    • The heart is a muscle, and like other muscles in the body, it needs exercise to work properly. Regular exercise gives your heart and cardiovascular system the ability to work better and improves blood flow. Chest pains and other symptoms decrease after exercise. Exercise improves heart function even if you've had a heart attack. The American Heart Association says that pooled studies show that behavioral modifications and regular physical activity after a heart attack improve survival rates and quality of life.

    Well-Being

    • Physical activity helps coronary heart disease sufferers by improving their overall quality of life and body composition. Your bones, joints and muscles stay healthy, and you improve your flexibility and balance. You have the energy needed to complete your daily activities, feel more confident and decrease depression and anxiety. Your muscle tone, posture and falling risks decrease.

    Exercise Recommendations

    • An exercise program should include aerobics, strength training and flexibility. Aerobics exercise should include 3 to 5 days of exercise that raises the heart rate, like walking, biking, swimming or water aerobics. Do 2 or 3 days of strength training and include deep-breathing exercises. Start slow if you've never exercised. Doctors can recommend supervised diet and exercise plans to ensure your safety with specialists who work with coronary heart disease sufferers. Listen to your body, and stop if you feel dizzy or listless.

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