Exercise and Heart Health
For people living with heart disease, maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity is not only an important part of recovery but also a proven way to support long-term cardiovascular health. Regular exercise helps protect the heart by reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and improving survival outcomes following cardiac events. For individuals with heart failure, ongoing physical activity can enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve the ability to carry out daily activities.
Beyond its direct benefits to the heart, exercise plays an important role in disease prevention. It helps regulate blood glucose and cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of complications such as diabetes and stroke. Regular exercise also strengthens the musculoskeletal system and promotes the release of endorphins, helping to improve mood and reduce symptoms of stress and depression.
While exercise offers many health benefits, people with heart disease should take the following precautions before starting or resuming an exercise programme:
- Start gradually. If you have not exercised for a long time, begin with light-intensity activities and increase the duration and intensity gradually over several weeks or months.
- Allow sufficient warm-up and cool-down time. A 10 to 15-minute warm-up before exercise and a similar cool-down period afterwards can help reduce the risk of cardiac events during or after physical activity.
- Be alert to warning signs. Stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or chest pain.
- Avoid exercise when unwell. Do not exercise if you are feeling unwell, such as when you have a fever, influenza, or other acute illnesses.
- Stay well hydrated. Drink sufficient fluids during exercise and adjust the intensity of physical activity in hot or humid weather.
- Follow medical advice for unstable angina. Individuals with unstable angina should not undertake regular physical activity until their condition is stabilised and they have received advice from healthcare professionals.
- Take precautions if you have a pacemaker. People with a cardiac pacemaker should avoid contact sports or activities involving bodily collision that may damage the device.
Reference
Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong SAR Government
Islands DHC Express
Enquiries Hotline: 2556 5338
Core Centre Address:
Unit B, 2536 Ha Ling Pei, Tung Chung
(Next to Tung Chung Fort)
Have a Healthy Mid-Autumn Festival
»