Coronary Heart Disease and Physical Activity

By: Melissa Morin, MS, CPT

The heart requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. The coronary arteries supply the heart with these two important ingredients. When these arteries become clogged and their passageways are narrowed, blood circulation is reduced to the heart, causing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). CHD is caused by the thickening of the inside walls of the coronary arteries. This thickening, called atherosclerosis narrows the space through which blood can flow. CHD is a major cause of death in the US, responsible for over 1 million deaths per year. Physical activity has been shown to decrease the risks that are responsible for the onset of these diseases. In fact, many studies show strong support and evidence that regular exercise may reduce the risks for CVD and the diseases in which it encompasses. Dose-response studies indicate that the more activity that is done produces less of a risk for disease in many participants.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that a person exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, at a low to moderate intensity. These are standard guidelines that determine how hard a person should work to reap the cardiovascular benefits of regular exercise. Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise has shown to have the greatest positive effect in reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. A regular exercise program, when followed, is shown to decrease the adhesion and aggregation of blood platelets in normal individuals. The heart becomes stronger, more efficient, and much less likely to become diseased.