World Heart Day is September 29: according to the World Heart Federation, 520 million people live with Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). CVD causes 18.6 million deaths annually and is the world’s top killer. Causes include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, air pollution and some diseases. Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that covers a range of disorders that compromise the heart’s normal function. 85% of CVD deaths are caused by heart attacks and strokes.
Cardiovascular Disease, like most diseases, is serious. Also like many diseases, we can lower our risk or even prevent it based on some lifestyle choices. One of the simplest choices we can make to prevent CVD is to get moving–exercise!
Regular exercise can:
- Keep your heart healthy and lower the risk of CVD
- Decrease the risk of stroke, dementia and some forms of cancer
- Alleviate stress and help reduce anxiety and depression
As Covid continues to be a threat, many of us spend most of our time at home. However, this is simply not a good enough reason to become sedentary. There are many ways to exercise in the safety of your home. Exercise does not need to be intimidating.The important thing is to move your body in a way that is safe for your level of agility, and gets your heart pumping. Experts recommend 150 minutes of exercise each week, which translates to 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Some activities you do normally can double as exercise such as gardening, walking your dog and dancing. Youtube is a great free resource for guided workouts, yoga routines and easy to learn dance lessons. If you are recovering from an injury, are at risk for falls or simply are unsure of the safest way to exercise, a physical therapist can help guide you.
In the fight against Cardiovascular Disease, exercise is an important prevention tool. If you don’t exercise at all, start small. Lift low weight dumbbells while you watch television. Leave your water cup in the kitchen so that you have to get up and walk every time you need a drink. Try chair yoga or gentle stretches and breathing exercises. Ask your doctor what exercises are safe for you to do. Good health rarely happens by accident. It is built with intentional daily practices.
DISCLAIMER: This article contains information that is intended to help the readers be better informed regarding exercise and health care. It is presented as general advice on health care. Always consult your doctor for your individual needs. Before beginning any new exercise program it is recommended that you seek medical advice from your personal physician. This article is not intended to be a substitute for the medical advice of a licensed physician. The reader should consult with their doctor in any matters relating to his/her health.
