If physical exercise is crucial to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle, the practice can be tricky for people with heart disease. To help them in their choice of sports activity, the European Society of Cardiology has just published its first recommendations.
- The European Society of Cardiology publishes its recommendations for physical activity according to the heart disorder.
- The key is to engage in regular physical activity, ie 150 minutes per week, depending on your physical condition.
Whether you are in good health or suffer from high blood pressure, heart or coronary insufficiency, regular physical activity is essential. Not only conducive to mental well-being, exercise helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease. “Regular exercise not only prevents heart disease, but also reduces premature death in people with known heart disease”explains Professor Antonio Pelliccia, head of the cardiology department of the Institute of Medicine and Sports Science in Rome (Italy).
However, many people with heart disease adopt a sedentary lifestyle, partly for fear of worsening their physical condition. To help them in their search for safe physical activity, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has just published on its website and in the European Heart Journal its first recommendations on sport and physical activity in all types of heart disease.
“The risk of exercise triggering cardiac arrest or heart attack is extremely low.says Professor Sanjay Sharma, Professor of Sports Cardiology and Inherited Heart Disease at St. George’s, University of London (UK). Totally inactive people and those with advanced heart disease should consult their doctor before playing sports.
What are the recommendations?
First, the authors of the guidelines remind that people with heart disease should, like healthy adults, exercise every day, at least 150 minutes per week of intensity exercise. moderate.
For people who are obese or have high blood pressure or diabetes, the authors recommend muscle-strengthening exercises (such as lifting light weights) at least three times a week, as well as a moderate or vigorous aerobic sport: cycling, running, swimming.
For people with coronary artery disease, caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the arteries, the authors see no contraindication to practicing competitive sports. However, they should consult their doctor first before exercising for the first time. “The aim is to adapt the intensity of the activity according to the individual risk of causing an acute event such as a heart attack”emphasizes Professor Pelliccia.
People suffering from a heart rhythm disorder such as atrial fibrillation can also engage in physical activity, apart from contact sports which can promote strokes.
Finally, people with pacemakers should not be deterred from playing sports (except collision sports) because of the device. However, they must adapt their choice according to the underlying disease.
The main thing, says Professor Sharma, is to practice physical activity. “Even small amounts are beneficial.” But, Prof Pelliccia insists, anyone with chest pain for more than 15 minutes should call an ambulance. “If you find that exercise causes palpitations or unusual shortness of breath or chest discomfort, reduce your activity and make an appointment with your healthcare professional”he adds.
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