Regular physical activity plays a pivotal role in enhancing heart health, particularly during Heart Month. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that engaging in physical activity can substantially decrease the likelihood of cardiovascular events. In fact, maintaining high levels of fitness has been associated with a 50 per cent reduction in cardiovascular events.
Even for individuals diagnosed with heart disease, incorporating exercise into their routine can lower the risk of a cardiac event by an impressive 70 per cent. Given that 2.6 million Canadians exhibit risk factors for heart attack or stroke, consistent physical activity is imperative for long-term health and well-being.
Encouragingly, even a modest amount of exercise can yield significant benefits. Participating in 150 minutes of physical activity per week can notably enhance heart health. Alternatively, increasing daily step count can also make a substantial difference. Simply adding 1000 extra steps each day can reduce mortality risk by 23 per cent, with every additional 500 steps contributing to a further 5 to 6 per cent decrease in risk.
While the majority of studies focus on the impact of aerobic exercise on heart health, recent data indicates that muscular strength also plays a critical role in reducing cardiovascular events. Notably, a study of active men revealed that those capable of performing more pushups had a markedly lower likelihood of encountering heart-related health issues.
Furthermore, wearable technology such as smart watches now offers valuable insights into heart rate, aerobic capacity, and real-time heart activity monitoring. For example, 32-year-old Nathan Gossett was alerted to a heart arrhythmia through his Apple Watch, enabling him to promptly seek medical assistance and address the issue. Consequently, he was able to resume his regular exercise routine following treatment.
Monitoring one’s heart rate is also essential. In the absence of a smartwatch, there are applications available that can measure heart rate using a phone’s camera. Alternatively, manual heart rate measurement can also provide valuable insights into heart health by tracking notable increases or decreases over time.
Implementing minor alterations to one’s exercise regimen can yield substantial benefits. Simply increasing daily step count or incorporating intervals of high-intensity exercise into workouts can have a positive impact. With consistency, improvements in resting heart rate can be expected over time.
Ultimately, it is evident that exercise stands as one of the most effective methods for enhancing heart health. Although the journey towards a healthier heart may require time and effort, the long-term benefits undoubtedly make it worthwhile.