Exercise is a cheap and powerful way to manage, avoid, or reduce the adverse risk of heart disease in any person. Confirming this, interventional cardiologist Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao, in conversation with Raj Shamani, highlighted that exercise and heart health have a U-shaped relationship. Simply put, moderate exercise is better than no exercise Exercise (half the U), vigorous exercise may harm some individuals (the other half of the U). Dr. Rao said, “We have to do everything in moderation, because excessive physical activity is also associated with the risk of heart attack.”
The U-shaped curve, also known as the extreme exercise hypothesis, defines a dose-response relationship between the amount of physical activity and cardiovascular health outcomes. “The curve suggests that medium The amount of physical activity significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, while very high levels of exercise can increase it,” said Dr Haresh G Mehta, director of interventional cardiology, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim.
Is ‘more exercise’ linked to better health benefits?
Studies examining epidemiological and biological plausibility support the idea that being more active or having better cardiorespiratory fitness may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Additionally, exercise is known to slow down aging, which is why many people believe that “more exercise is better.” “Due to this, a lot more people across the world are doing endurance training, competitive long distance endurance events and high intensity interval training,” said Dr Ranjan Modi, senior consultant and head of interventional cardiology, Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector. -8, Faridabad.
Dr. Mehta clarified that this paradox is seen only in high doses, high intensity exercise Over extended periods. Dr. Mehta said, “Prolonged exercise-induced stress may lead to cardiac dysfunction in some individuals, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, increased coronary artery calcification, release of cardiac biomarkers, myocardial fibrosis, exercise-induced arrhythmia remodeling.” And atrial fibrillation.”
However, Dr. Modi said that intense physical exercise, especially when done by people who are not fit, can increase the risk of sudden cardiac death and acute myocardial infarction in people who are already at high risk. “Recent research has also shown that high levels Exercise And doing it too much can cause heart changes in a bad way. These changes can occur rapidly in the coronary arteries, cause the release of biomarkers in the heart during exercise, cause myocardial scarring, and cause rhythm disturbances (atrial fibrillation). A dose-response curve in the shape of a U or reverse J often shows the relationship between these unhealthy responses and physical exercise,” Dr Modi explained.
Exercise is important (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Moderate aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic exercise for at least 75 minutes a week can reduce the risk of death by a large margin. Dr. Modi cautioned, “Intense physical exercise done over a long period of time can be harmful to the heart and can lead to early death and reduced immunity to heart disease.”
The relationship between exercise intensity and risk of rhythm disturbances (atrial fibrillation or AF) is also U-shaped. “People who are sedentary or exercise too much vigorous activity The probability of getting daily AF is highest. “Instead of going all out, it would be better to make moderate efforts or take a break from strenuous exercise at least once a week,” Dr Modi said.
Despite this, physical activity should be encouraged in all individuals, including those with chronic heart disease, as even moderate exercise has many benefits, said Dr Prashant Pawar, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi. Said. “Experienced athletes show a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation than sedentary individuals of the same age. However, it appears that athletes live longer than those who have sedentary lifestyles,” Dr. Pawar said, highlighting that perhaps we need to take this very good thing for granted. Must be prepared. long term intense exerciseMay promote “abnormal changes” in a previously normal heart.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information in the public domain and/or from experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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