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CARDIO BENEFITS AND RISKS
BENEFITS OF CARDIOVASCULAR TRAININGThe health cardio benefits of beginning and maintaining a regular aerobic training program are monumental. To name a few:
- Reduction in blood pressure
- Increased HDL cholesterol (That’s the good kind, by the way.)
- Decreased total cholesterol
- Decreased body fat stores
- Increased aerobic work capacity
- Decreased clinical symptoms of anxiety, tension, and depression
- Reduction in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion
- Increased heart function
- Reduction in mortality in postmyocardial infarction patients (Or less deaths in patients after a heart attack.)
- Prevention of type 2 diabetes
Now that’s just talking about actual health cardio benefits. Let’s talk about adaptive physiologic responses, or in plain English, improvements in your actual bodily processes. This is unbelievable. Are you ready? Here goes:
- Increased lactate threshold (the exercise intensity at which lactic acid starts to accumulate in the blood stream)
- Decreased resting heart rate (heart doesn't have to work as hard at rest)
- Increased heart volume
- Increased resting and maximum stroke volume
- Increased maximum cardiac output (heart works better)
- Increased maximum oxygen consumption
- Increased capillary density and blood flow to active muscles
- Increased total blood volume
- Increased maximal ventilation
- Increased lung diffusion capacity
- Increased mobilization and utilization of fat
- Reduced all-cause mortality (less likely to die)
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Decreased incidence of some cancers
- Improved arterial endothelial (cells that line the inside of your blood vessels) function (Greek for better blood flow)
- Increased insulin sensitivity
Whew! I told you!! Are you raring to go yet?
That's right! You go people! That's what I'm talkin' about!
Of course, there are certain RISK FACTORS that one should consider before beginning a cardiovascular exercise program.
You should see a doctor first if you:- Are a man over 45 or a woman over 50
- Smoke
- Are diabetic
- Are very overweight
- Have a family history of coronary artery disease
- Have high blood pressure and do not take medicine for it
- Have chest pain or heart palpitations
So, please do yourself and your loved ones a favor, and
get started
on a structured cardiovascular exercise routine today!
And don't forget that cardiovascular fitness is just one of several
components of fitness.
If you are new to exercise, walking or swimming is a great way to start.
Cardiovascular exercise along with a
strength training
program and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables will add years and quality to your life beyond your imagination. Go on! Try it, I dare you!!
Return from Cardio Benefits and Risks to Cardiovascular Fitness
Return from Cardio Benefits and Risks to Straightforward Home
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