Exercise and the Heart

[erijon]

Just curious about exercise and the benefit to the heart. I had a minor scare two years ago with some mild chest pain, decided to play it safe and go to the ER to get it checked out. Did not turn out to be cardiac related but spent the night anyways and went through a full cardiac work up the next day with all the tests, echo, nuclear stress test, xrays and bloodwork, all normal. It was an eye opener as an overweight 47 year old male so I made some life style changes, got my diet under control and started some light exercise.

I had all the tests repeated in March 06, one year after the first round of tests. After this round, I stepped up the exercise routine to include 45 minutes and 500 calories a day on the treadmill, would love to do more but I have RA and that's about all these old arthritic knees can handle! I have to keep it to a very brisk walking pace with a steep inclince, my knees are just not stable enough to run. During this workout I maintain a heart rate of 140-150 BPMs without any issues or symptoms of any kind, actually feel pretty good afterwards. So far have lost almost 60 pounds in 10 months  but still need to loose another 40.

About me, I have controlled blood pressure at 110/70 and no family history of early onset heart disease. Also, I have never smoked and my cholesterol is 165 so most of the numbers are in my favor.

I have a couple of questions, first is this a sufficient amount of exercise to help prevent heart disease and if not what would anyone reccommend? Second, what is the appropriate blood pressure response during and after exercise? My systolic raises about 10 points and my diastolic stays the same, perhaps increasing by only a point or two. When I finish my blood pressure drops to a point lower than when I started after about 10 to 15 minutes. Also, my heart rate returns to normal within just a few minutes to around 75 bpm.

I would appreciate any suggestions or input as I would love to hold off any heart disease as long as possible!

thanks in advance,
Tony

[Goldie54]

Sounds like you are doing just great. Losing weight and planning on more to lose. Careful on the knees with RA. I have OA. You need to reduce the impact to as low as possible.

What kind of BP instrument are you using? Geeze, if it can read 1 point difference in your diastolic pressure after exercise, it must made by NASA.....You can google the norms for BP pressure increases while exercising, if no one answers you here.

[CollegeGirl143]

The recommended Cardio activity to increase cardiovascular health is at least 20 mins of exercise (such as walking, jogging, running, outside, on a treadmill, elliptical, you get the picture) 3 days a week.. Thats the minimum suggested to see an increase in cardiac fitness... i personally try to get the gym at least 5 days a week.

[anacyde]

Your blood pressure response is precisely what would be expected.  I mean, by the book.  That's excellent.

The recommendation is at least 30 minutes at least three times per week.  Ideally, they say being active for 30 minutes almost every day is best.  Your regimen sounds excellent.  You're doing a great deal to stay healthy and you're watching the numbers.  You are keeping your risk factors in check and you recognize the benefits of exercise on heart heath.  I wish everyone had your attitude!