Three hours of vigorous exercise per week can reduce heart risks in men. This is stated by a new study that also concludes that this is achieved due to the positive effect of exercise on blood cholesterol levels. And you, how much physical activity do you do per week? Before you run to the gym, learn more about these findings and how you can maintain a healthy heart.
We continually remind you: maintaining a healthy diet accompanied by an exercise routine is the key to keeping your heart and your body in general healthy. And to continue learning more about the relationship between food, exercise and health, research does not stop.
In previous editions we told you about a study that found that specific exercises could help those with chronic heart failure, a condition in which the heart functions poorly and causes blood to build up in the veins leading to the heart and kidneys retain fluid.
Now, a new study developed by researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health in England, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, has reached similar results.
Specifically, after analyzing 1,239 men over five years, they found that doing three hours of vigorous exercise per week can reduce men's chances of having heart problems by 22 percent. Additionally, they found that about 38 percent of the decrease in risk was due to the beneficial effects of exercise on levels of "good" cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
The so-called “good” cholesterol picks up excess “bad” cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The so-called “bad” cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has that title because it adheres to the walls of the arteries and makes them hard and narrow, which makes it difficult for blood to pass through and can cause serious problems. health problems.
The heart is responsible for pumping blood that, through blood vessels, reaches the different organs throughout the body. That is why it is so important that it works well and for this reason - among other things - it is linked to other factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure (which refers to the force with which it circulates through the body) and the others. factors that make up the so-called metabolic syndrome or syndrome
Although not all doctors agree on the definition or cause of metabolic syndrome, a person is considered to have it when they have at least three of these five factors (which are also related to obesity):
- Arterial hypertension or high pressure.
- Increased levels of sugar or glucose in the blood (diabetes).
- High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood.
- Low levels of “good” cholesterol.
- Excess fat in the waist area (when the person is said to have an “apple-shaped” body).
The more of these factors you have, the greater your chances of having heart disease. Likewise, obesity, smoking, aging, certain hormonal changes, and lack of exercise can also affect your heart health.
And although sometimes these are issues that cannot be changed, such as predisposition due to heredity or age, the truth is that there are many factors that can be avoided or reduced by eating a healthy diet and practicing an exercise routine and regular physical activity. .
In the latter case, if you know that you have heart problems, it is important that you consult with your doctor before starting any regular physical activity, but that does not mean you should stop doing it. Clear all your doubts with a professional and encourage yourself to adopt new, healthier lifestyle habits.
