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Exercise, what is best
I am a 50 year old male that currently is about 50 pounds overweight, do not smoke, no family history and controlled BP (110/70) and lipids (TC 151, LDL 58, HDL40). I have been working out daily on a treadmill for 45 - 60 mins and running my heart rate up to approx 85% plus of my max heart rate, around 150-155 bpm. I have been doing this for over a year and lost 60 pounds. My main goal is to be proactive with keeping my heart healthy and loosing a few pounds along the way has been nice as well.
My doctor told me this was not necessary and that exercising at this higher than necessary heart rates could cause damage to one's heart. He suggested I back of to 70 -75% which is not much of a work out. I don't feel I am getting the benefit of a good workout at this level and it takes me longer to burn the 500 calories I try to burn with each workout. I have normal heart rate and blood pressure response as well as recovery at the higher levels of exercise and no symptoms of any kind. A little history, I got on the health kick in Feb 2005 when I went to the ER to be safe as I had a little chest pain. Over the last three years I have had annual workups including Thallium stress tests, echos and blood work, all have been normal. When we went over my latest result in August last year, my cardiologist told me I no longer needed annual visits or workups as everything is fine concerning my heart.
My question is, how should I exercise and what levels are best for proper cardiovascular health? Am I damaging my heart at the higher levels?
Thanks for you help!
Jon
My doctor told me this was not necessary and that exercising at this higher than necessary heart rates could cause damage to one's heart. He suggested I back of to 70 -75% which is not much of a work out. I don't feel I am getting the benefit of a good workout at this level and it takes me longer to burn the 500 calories I try to burn with each workout. I have normal heart rate and blood pressure response as well as recovery at the higher levels of exercise and no symptoms of any kind. A little history, I got on the health kick in Feb 2005 when I went to the ER to be safe as I had a little chest pain. Over the last three years I have had annual workups including Thallium stress tests, echos and blood work, all have been normal. When we went over my latest result in August last year, my cardiologist told me I no longer needed annual visits or workups as everything is fine concerning my heart.
My question is, how should I exercise and what levels are best for proper cardiovascular health? Am I damaging my heart at the higher levels?
Thanks for you help!
Jon
Do you think that a full cardiac work up is still necessary, every year including nuclear stress tests and echos? I still have annual physicals where my family doctor checks my EKG and blood work.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is no evidence that you are damaging your heart and your work outs sound very good and I don't think you should change them. I do think you should have periodic cardiac evaluations--yearly and keep up the good work!!!
a nuclear stress test every year? why??? that's a TON of radiation....if anything, get Cardiac calcium scoring done
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