We Could Keep Our Hearts Healthy Through Exercise

It has been proven through research that an "exercised" heart is a healthy heart. This is because when a muscle is exercised it retains its normal tone and flexibility and does not atrophy due to inactivity.

Although the heart is only as big as your closed fist, it is composed of muscles too and is the center of the cardiovascular system which supplies the lifeblood of all cells and tissues in the body.

Imagine, if the main source of your "lifeblood" is decaying and atrophied, then consequently, the supply will dwindle and imminent death will occur.

Here are specific reasons why we can achieve a healthy heart through exercise:

1. * Exercise causes the heart to pump vigorously therefore increasing cardiac muscle contraction and lengthening. This action would decrease the probability of developing noncontractile fibrous tissues. These noncontractile fibrous tissues are indications of myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack, which should be avoided at all costs.

The cardiac muscles should always maintain their flexibility and contractility to be able to function well.

2. * Bad lipids (fats) like cholesterol, triglycerides and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) are "flushed" out of the blood vessels because of the increased blood circulation caused by the exercise. Instead of these bad lipids being deposited in the arteries and blood vessels, they are converted into energy and burned out of the system.

3. * Exercise speeds up metabolism and increases oxygen delivery to the different tissues and cells in the body. This is because, as a person exercises respiration is also increased.

4. * One significant cause of coronary heart disease (CHD) and other heart ailments is obesity. Exercise will reduce this risk. Exercise reduces the concentration of stored fat (triglycerides) and some carbohydrates from the adipose tissues which will then decrease the weight of the person.

5. * Exercise also enhances fibrinolytic activity (activity that prevents blood clots) and therefore decreases the risk of emboli or blood clot formation in the heart and in the brain.

6. * Exercise reduces anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are considered as risk factors contributory to cardiac conditions. This is because they can lead to atherosclerotic diseases especially after an MI.

7. * Exercise promotes the proper functioning of all the organs in the body: the liver would be able to metabolize well the food stuffs that we eat, especially the fats, so there will be no fats deposited in the blood vessels; the kidneys would be able to excrete the excess electrolytes that the heart does not need, and retains those that the heart needs, etc. These metabolic processes contribute towards a healthy heart. Healthy organs indicate a healthy person.

The exercises need not be strenuous. They may consist of:

* brisk walking

* jogging

* running

* swimming

* bicycling

* skiing

Pick an exercise that is most convenient to you. You could do it at least thrice a week, at 20-minute durations.

If you could do it daily, then you would reap the maximum benefits.

Consult your family physician though if you have an existing condition before commencing on your exercise program.

Exercise and have a healthy heart!