Fitness and the Healthy Heart
I'm a certified personal trainer, not a medical doctor. We're now in the area where medical expertise is called for. I'll try to bring you the expertise of those who are medical doctors and have given these topics the study they deserve. Let's begin with the opinions of the American Heart Association.
The AHA's "Healthy Lifestyle" page starts with three sections:
- You Are What You Eat
- It's Not Just a Man's Disease
- Exercise & Fitness
Diet has its own section on this website, so I'll skip over You Are What You Eat for now. On the second point, ladies, the AHA says, "Heart disease is far and away the leading cause of death of American women . . ." And for all of us, on exercise and fitness they say, "Whether it is included in a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all physical activity adds up to a healthier heart."
Drilling down further in the AHA website, you can find these facts:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer in America. About 950,000 Americans died last year of CVD, accounting for over 40 percent of all deaths.
- Lack of physical activity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
- About 250,000 deaths per year in the United States — about 12 percent of total deaths — are due to a lack of regular physical activity.
- The relative risk of coronary heart disease associated with physical inactivity ranges from 1.5 to 2.4, an increase in risk comparable with that observed for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cigarette smoking.
May I repeat that? According to the American Heart Association, the increase in risk of coronary heart disease from a sedentary lifestyle is comparable to the risk from cigarette smoking.
Why don't you take a moment to see the American Heart Association's site for yourself. After all, I'm trying to sell you on the benefits of my club. The AHA just wants you to keep your heart healthy. At the American Heart Association's site you can find the facts above by clicking Healthy Lifestyle, Exercise and Fitness, Physical Activity in Daily Life, Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health. Spend some time in that organization's excellent site. We'll wait here until you get back.
Did you see the Tips for Exercise Success? The AHA suggests, "Surround yourself with supportive people." Count us in!