Exercise, Cholesterol and Your Healthy Heart…

In case you have not heard, in the past month, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) announced new guidelines for cholesterol medication prescription. The incoming guidelines will more than likely summate to significant increase of Americans being prescribed statin medication. Although these medications are classically thought to be designed to reduce your risk of future heart disease, your exercise and fitness level should not be overlooked either. Low aerobic fitness continues to be one of the best predictors for future health problems and premature cardiovascular complications. With all the recent attention on medication, here are a few interesting facts and reminders as to how exercise keeps improves your body’s management of cholesterol and keeps your heart healthy!

• Exercise helps to maintain or lose body weight. Being overweight can be correlated to more prevalent blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL). This is one molecule that helps to transport cholesterol in your blood, and its elevation is thought to be linked with heart disease incidence.

• Working out can also help enzymes remove LDL from blood and blood-vessel walls. More exercise could possibly be linked with improved capacity for your body to expel LDL.

• Turning it up a notch in both pack and 1-on-1 workouts! A study by Duke University found that more intense exercise is actually more beneficial for cholesterol lowering effect than moderate intensity. Additionally, higher-intensity exercise groups demonstrated an adaptation of increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL), which is associated as heart healthy “cardio-protective” cholesterol transport in your blood. Working out is great, and can help your heart and blood cholesterol levels, but working out hard may protect you even more. When ready to turn things up a notch, communicate that to your trainer!

• Ladies should pick up the weights. In addition to building strength, enhancing muscle function and supporting good bone health for the long term, a study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine demonstrated a clear finding. That is, women who exercise at intensive resistance exercise programs, show a significant decrease in LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio and also a concurrent favourable effect on body fat percentage.

From modifying your exercise and work out programs or any health/fitness related questions, be sure to ask your trainer or contact our front desk at any time!

Written by: Ryan Shum