Istanbul Okan University Hospital Cardiology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Süha Çetin gave information about the effects of physical activity on heart health. By combining physical activity with the Mediterranean diet; If we can pay attention to our weight and quit smoking, we will protect our heart health against coronary artery disease and arterial disease in general. If these 4 lifestyle factors can be changed, 80% of death from vascular diseases can be prevented.
Assoc. Dr. Süha Çetin explained how physical activity can help protect our heart health as follows:
“Exercise helps lower high blood pressure”
Exercise lowers heart rate and blood pressure like beta-blocker therapy. High heart rate and high blood pressure are harmful factors for heart health.
“There is the opportunity to control weight with exercise”
It is possible to lose weight in a very healthy way, especially if we can combine physical activity with a smart diet. Excess weight is an important risk factor for both heart health and stroke.
“Exercise makes the body muscles strong”
If aerobic sports styles (walking, running, swimming or cycling) are combined with power sports (lifting light weights) training, we do the best for our health. Such exercises improve the ability of the muscles to draw oxygen from the blood circulation. This situation relieves the heart (itself a muscle) to pump blood to the muscles and reduces the load on it.
“Exercise makes it easier for us to quit smoking”
Smokers realize that they are healthier by exercising and they believe more quickly that smoking has no place in their lives. At the same time, people who are healthy and value exercise never think about starting a cigarette. Smoking is a serious factor that causes heart attacks, especially in young people. It also has the feature of raising blood pressure and bad cholesterol values externally.
“Exercise slows down or completely prevents the development of diabetes”
When aerobic sports styles are combined with power sports styles, it can reduce the risk of diabetes by 50%. Because in this case, the muscles make better use of glycogen, which is the energy source, and prevents blood sugar levels from getting too high.
“Exercise reduces stress”
Stress hormones secreted in case of stress can also put a strain on heart health. The combinations of exercises just mentioned can reduce stress and relax the heart. If stretching movements are included in this combination, as in yoga, we will support our heart and general health very well.
“Exercise reduces inflammation”
With exercise, we can reduce the inflammation of the arteries, which we call chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is one of the most important causes of arteriosclerosis, calcification and heart attack.
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