Having a heart attack can be a life-altering experience. It can lead to physical limitations and cause anxiety and depression. However, physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack.
In this article, we will discuss how much exercise is necessary to reduce death risk after infarction.
What is Infarction?
Infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when there is an obstruction in the blood flow to the heart muscle. This can lead to severe damage to the heart and increase the risk of death.
People who have had a heart attack are at an increased risk of having another one. Physical activity has been shown to reduce this risk.
Benefits of Exercise After Infarction
Aerobic exercise has been shown to have several benefits after infarction, including:.
- Reduced risk of death
- Reduced risk of having another heart attack
- Improved cardiovascular function
- Improved mental health
Types of Exercise
It is recommended to engage in both aerobic exercise and resistance training after a heart attack. Aerobic exercise includes activities such as walking, running, swimming, and cycling.
Resistance training includes lifting weights or using resistance bands. Both forms of exercise have been shown to have benefits in reducing the risk of death after infarction.
Duration and Intensity
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
It is also recommended to engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week.
It is important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of exercise. A physician should be consulted before starting any exercise program, and any chest pain or discomfort during exercise should be reported immediately.
Benefits of Meeting Exercise Recommendations
Meeting the recommended amount of exercise after infarction has been shown to have several benefits, including:.
- Reduced risk of death
- Reduced risk of having another heart attack
- Improved cardiovascular function
- Improved mental health
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Reduced risk of certain cancers
Conclusion
Regular exercise after infarction is an important component of reducing the risk of death and improving overall health.
Engaging in both aerobic exercise and resistance training for at least the recommended amount of time has been shown to have numerous benefits.