Cardiac fitness refers to the steps you can take to prevent heart disease or recover from it. Cardiac fitness tests, such as electrocardiograms and stress tests, are medical procedures that can detect the strength, pumping functionality and blood flow to and from the heart. Good eating habits, regular exercise and regular health checks are the most important components of cardiac fitness.
Cardiac Disease
The National Institutes of Health attributes more than a quarter of all deaths in the U.S. to heart disease. Cardiac disease also causes disability and the risk of developing it increases with age. Men older than 45 and women older than 55 have a higher risk of heart disease. People with a family history of cardiac disease have a greater chance of developing it.
Cardiac Fitness Tests
Regular monitoring and control of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels can help ward off cardiac disease. Some of the diagnostic tests to determine coronary artery disease are electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress tests and coronary catheterizations. These tests check for abnormalities or inadequacies in blood flow to the heart, weakened or damaged heart muscles, and blocks in the arteries. During a stress test, a doctor will use exercise or medication to stimulate your heart and then monitor cardiac activity.
Preventing Heart Disease
By following healthy practices, you can avoid heart disease in the future or prevent a relapse. Avoid smoking, the use of tobacco products and exposure to cigarette smoke. Aim for half an hour to an hour of moderate-intensity physical exercise on most days of the week. Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and prevent high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiac disease. If you are overweight, a reduction in body weight can significantly lower your chances of cardiac disease.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation programs are medically supervised procedures that enable people with heart disease to improve their health. These programs include physical checkups and health assessments. Patients are then taught to engage in physical activity while keeping their health condition in mind. Suggestions and guidelines for aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening activities and improvements in diet help patients prevent future relapses and heart problems.
Heart-Healthy Diet
NIH introduced the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan, DASH, which helps lower blood pressure, reduce weight and protects your heart. The plan focuses on reducing the consumption of saturated fats, sodium and sugar in the diet and increasing intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Look for nutritional information on packages and avoid foods that contain trans fats, added sodium, sugars or saturated fats. Increase consumption of healthy fats found in nuts, olive oil, flaxseed oil and walnut oil.
References
- NIH: Heart Diseases--Prevention
- Mayo Clinic: Coronary Artery Disease: Tests and Diagnosis
- Mayo Clinic: 5 Medication-Free Strategies to Help Prevent Heart Disease
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What to Expect During Cardiac Rehabilitation
- NIH: Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH
