Learn how overexertion during workouts can affect your heart
World Heart Day It is celebrated every year on September 29 to raise awareness about heart health and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) says cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally, claiming nearly 17.9 million lives each year. The WHO states that heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Ischemic heart disease is responsible for 13% of total deaths in the world.
CVD is a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and includes coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions. “More than four in five deaths from cardiovascular disease are due to heart attacks and strokes, and a third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.”
Your heart is an extremely important organ and that is why it is important that you take the necessary steps to keep it protected. It is important that you do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. This helps maintain your cardiovascular health and overall health.
However, overexertion during training can significantly affect your heart health. Speaking to Times Now, Dr Ashish Kumar, Consultant and Assistant Professor of Cardiology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, shares how extreme exercise routines can affect the heart.
Regular exercise is a cornerstone of heart health, but overexertion can significantly stress the cardiovascular system, especially in people with underlying or undiagnosed heart disease.
Dr Kumar said: “During intense workouts, the heart must work harder to pump blood, causing rapid increases in heart rate and blood pressure. If taken too far, this can lead to arrhythmias, cardiac strain, or even serious events such as heart attacks or sudden cardiac death.”
He adds that for young people, the risk can be even more serious if conditions such as cardiomyopathies or channelopathies are present but undiagnosed. These genetic abnormalities can go unnoticed until they are triggered by extreme physical stress, which can have fatal consequences. Sudden cardiac death in athletes, although rare, is often related to these conditions, making it a major concern.
Dr. Kumar also shared ways to prevent heart diseases. He said: “Listening to your body is crucial. “Warning signs such as chest pain, dizziness, palpitations or difficulty breathing should never be ignored, as they may indicate that the heart is under excessive stress.”
It is important to gradually increase the intensity of training and allow the heart to adapt to greater physical demands, which is essential for safe exercise. Additionally, regular heart checks, especially for those participating in high-intensity training, can help identify potential risks early on.
Additionally, personalized fitness plans, guided by a health professional, can help ensure the heart is ready for strenuous activity, thereby minimizing the risk of adverse events. Maintaining balance, avoiding sudden spikes in intensity, and following proper training protocols will safeguard heart health while reaping all the benefits of exercise.
The theme for World Heart Day 2024 to 2026 is “Using the heart for action.” Its goal is to urge people to prioritize their heart health and encourage them to take the necessary steps for their cardiovascular health.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.