Sunday, November 25, 2007

Yahoo Health Articles - Exercising for a healthy heart!

 

Introduction

When you have coronary artery disease, it is very important to exercise regularly. If you aren't already active, your doctor may want you to begin an exercise program. Even if you can only do a small amount of exercise, it is better than not doing any exercise at all.

Answers the following points/things.

Key points:

Why do I need a regular exercise program?

Exercising 3 or 4 times a week consistently is important because it takes only a short period of inactivity to weaken your muscles and cardiovascular system.

 

How can I get started on an exercise program?
To get started:
Have a thorough physical examination before beginning any exercise program. Your doctor may do an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a test that measures the electrical signals that control the rhythm of your heartbeat, and possibly an exercise stress test to assess what level of activity your heart can handle.

Calculating your heart rate

One of the best ways to measure your exercise intensity is to take your pulse and calculate your beats per minute or heart rate. See taking a pulse.

 

Calculating your rating of perceived exertion (RPE)

A rating of perceived exertion, or how hard you think your body is working, is a fairly accurate way to tell how much strain is put on your body during exercise. The original Borg scale can be used (6 to 20 levels) to approximate the HR values from rest to maximum, or a revised 0 to 10 scale may be easier to use. For more information, see monitoring the rate of perceived exertion (RPE).

 

How often should I exercise?

How often you should exercise depends on several factors. Many exercise programs recommend exercising a minimum of 3 to 5 times a week. However, the best number of days for you may depend upon your time availability, exercise intensity, the duration of each session, and of course, your overall goals. If you exercise at a lower intensity level, you may want to exercise more frequently. Studies have shown that no significant differences in aerobic capacity are found whether these are consecutive or alternate days. If you are trying to lose weight, regular daily exercise is encouraged.

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