The following article was written by Hayley Jackson, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC. A board-certified family nurse practitioner, Hayley provides Express Care Services at Wood River Health. She is passionate about holistic patient-centered care, lifestyle medicine and women’s health.
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease is a condition that can affect blood flow to the heart and how it functions. Unfortunately, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. For many, this condition forms over time and is greatly impacted by many lifestyle factors such as diet, weight, and exercise. Studies have shown that regular exercise can be very effective for decreasing the risk of heart disease and improving heart disease overall (Pinckard et al., 2019). Of the many ways, exercise achieves this by improving how the body’s metabolism works and increasing good cholesterol.
The metabolism utilizes calories to provide energy to the cells and eliminate waste. Extra calories consumed overtime can result in excess fatty tissue growth and ultimately being overweight. When there is excess fatty tissue in the body (obesity), controlling blood sugar and utilizing the sugar for cellular energy can become difficult. This process is an example of what medical professionals consider a metabolic disease. For some, this may lead to diabetes or prediabetes. Exercise can help this in three ways:
- Decreasing overall body fat: It is important to maintain a healthy amount of body fat, but when obesity is present, exercise can help bring individuals back to an optimal weight. In turn, this will help the body utilize sugar for energy to regulate blood sugars.
- Managing Blood Sugars: Exercise increases the body’s demand for energy which translates into sugar and calories being used up faster. This can assist in managing elevated blood sugars in addition to prescribed medical treatment.
- Increasing Good Cholesterol: Exercise increases HDL (high-density lipoprotein) which helps protect the heart from excess plaque build up. Overtime this can improve blood flow to the heart and decrease one’s risk for heart attack.
While the advantages of exercise to improve and prevent heart disease are numerous, metabolism is a main beneficiary. Exercise recommendations should be personalized to each patient and their medical history. However, consistency is key and many find great benefit from simply walking for 30 minutes per day or moving their body in a way that feels comfortable and is safe for them.
References
Pinckard, K., Baskin, K. K., & Stanford, K. I. (2019). Effects of exercise to improve cardiovascular health. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 6, 69. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2019.00069
Disclaimer
This article is not intended to treat, diagnose, or manage anyone’s physical or psychiatric health. This article is intended to create discussion, create community, and inform in a generalized sense. Please discuss your specific health and psychiatric concerns with your personalized team of professionals or emergency services if you feel this is appropriate.
