If you have heart disease, there are many others in your company: 2009 data from the National Center for Health Statistics reveal that nearly 27 million Americans have been diagnosed with heart disease, representing 12 percent of the nation's population. While heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, there are things you can do to reduce its effects. Making exercise a part of your lifestyle is a major factor in managing heart disease.
Identification
The term "heart disease" does not represent a specific condition but is used to describe a number of diseases, defects and infections that affect the heart or blood vessels. This includes coronary heart disease, arrhythmia and congenital heart defects. The term "cardiovascular disease" is used in some cases. While symptoms vary depending on the condition's causes, common signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, weakness, dizziness and numbness in the limbs.
Risk Factors
While genetics and your age play a role in your likelihood of developing heart disease, lifestyle factors are central to having heart problems. Being obese, smoking and having a diet high in fat, salt and cholesterol increase your risk for heart disease. Having diabetes as well as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels also increases your risks. Not participating in regular physical activity contributes to the development of these risk factors.
Exercise and Prevention
While some heart problems, such as congenital defects, can't be prevented, you can reduce your chances of having heart disease by making exercise a priority. Physical activity helps prevent or reduce the effects of conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, which over time strain the heart and contribute to arterial blockages. Research also shows that people who have a moderate fitness level are less likely to die prematurely than those with a low level of fitness.
Exercising with Heart Disease
Exercise is essential even if you already have been diagnosed with heart disease. It can help you manage symptoms, reduce risks and lose weight if needed. Getting in 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week is an ideal goal, and each day's activity can be broken into shorter intervals. Research released in 2006 from the American College of Sports Medicine suggests that 50 minutes of daily exercise might be necessary to prevent heart disease from progressing.
Warning
It's vital that you discuss any plans for physical activity with your doctor before beginning. Having certain conditions, such as an arrhythmia, can affect what kinds of exercise you can do safely. Find out how medications to treat your heart disease can affect your fitness plan as well, and report to your doctor any recent incidents of chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath or fatigue.
