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Sedentary Lifestyle and Exercise

Sedentary people are at least twice as likely to suffer a stroke compared to those who exercise regularly. Moderate aerobic exercise performed on a regular basis benefits the heart in different ways.

For example, brisk walking has the following advantages:

- Lower heart rate and blood pressure
- Improving cholesterol
- Lowers blood sugar levels
- Opens blood vessels and, in combination with a healthy diet can improve blood clotting factors.
- Reduces stress and improves mood.

Some studies indicate that most cardiac protection, what counts is not the duration of exercise, but the total daily energy expenditure. Therefore, the best form of exercise may involve short periods of intense exercise. Even older people with unstable angina or who have previously suffered a heart attack may benefit from a structured exercise program. Exercises that train and strengthen the chest muscles can also be very important for patients with angina.

It should be emphasized that strenuous exercise (such as snow removal or mowing) may be a risk of angina and myocardial infarction for these people. Also, activities that involve raising your arms above your head may involve risk and people with angina should never exercise after eating.

People with risk factors for heart disease should seek medical advice and consent, and the prescription of a detailed program of exercises. Everyone, including healthy people should be looking at your body, ignoring the discomfort they may feel while exercising. [See chapter on Exercise egalenia encyclopedia].

Diabetes and insulin resistance

Heart attacks in heart account for 60% and stroke by 25% of deaths in people with diabetes. A 1998 study reported that patients with type 2 diabetes and no history of heart disease have the same risk of a heart attack at age seven than those without diabetes who have heart disease.

Insulin resistance in the long run, even without type 2 diabetes, appears to have significant harmful effects on the heart. This condition occurs when insulin levels are normal to elevated, but the body is unable to use insulin to regulate metabolism and keep blood sugar for energy. In such cases, the body compensates for this by increasing insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia), which in turn increases triglycerides and lowers HDL cholesterol.

Normally, insulin stimulates the release of two substances, endothelin and nitric oxide, which are important to keep the arteries elastic and open. Insulin resistance can cause an imbalance in these substances.