Exercise And The Heart

Beth KalickiHeli J. Roy, PhD, MBA, RDPennington Biomedical Research Center

04/22/2023 Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Role of Exercise on the Heart

• Increase in the size and strength of the heart• Expansion of the left and right ventricles • Thickening of the heart muscle• Better delivery of blood to extremities• Relaxation between beats changes• Reduced heart rate

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Starting on an exercise program

• Contact your doctor to see if it is safe to start exercising

• Stress test

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Who Can Benefit from Exercise?

Everyone can benefit from exercise.

Exercise should be performed at a moderate intensity level. Especially patients who have heart failure.

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Aerobic Exercise is the most beneficial walking, jogging,

jumping rope, bicycling

Benefits Strengthens the heart Normalization of lipid

levels Weight loss

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Research on the Benefits of Exercise

Over 2000 heart failure patients.

Separated into two groups: Standard health care Health care and aerobic

exercise training

After 3 months, the group who exercised, felt better.

Less hospitalizations in the exercise group.

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– An active lifestyle leads to 45% lower risk of heart disease

– Reduced risk of hypertension

– Helps in hypertension control

– Can cut the risk for stroke in half

Research on the Benefits of Exercise

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Exercise Precautions• Always consult a doctor before you begin any exercise program. • Do warm-ups.• Drink water before, during and after exercise.• Wait 30 minutes after eating.• Avoid exercising in high heat and humidity.• Avoid strenuous physical labor if you have heart disease or

uncontrolled diabetes, seizures, high blood pressure, have had a heart attack within the last six months, have been in heart failure, have unstable angina, a significant valve disease, or those with an aortic aneurysm.

• Avoid eating right after exercising. • Continue moving after a vigorous workout.

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Other Benefits of Exercise

• Regular exercise is associated with a delay in onset of dementia and Alzheimer disease.

• Older adults may have a decreased thirst response to fluid deprivation. Adequate fluid intake is important during exercise.

• Older individuals who exercise regularly have a lower resting heart rate and blood pressure and improved fitness, balance, and gait.

• Regular exercise and increased antioxidant nutrient intake will decrease oxidative damage to muscles.

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Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Authors:Beth A. KalickiHeli J. Roy, RD, PhD

Division of EducationPhillip Brantley, PhD, Director

Pennington Biomedical Research CenterSteven Heymsfield, MD, Executive Director

04/22/2023 Pennington Biomedical Research Center

About Our Company…• The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a world-renowned nutrition research center.• • Mission:• To promote healthier lives through research and education in nutrition and preventive medicine. • The Pennington Center has several research areas, including:• Clinical Obesity Research• Experimental Obesity• Functional Foods• Health and Performance Enhancement• Nutrition and Chronic Diseases• Nutrition and the Brain• Dementia, Alzheimer’s and healthy aging• Diet, exercise, weight loss and weight loss maintenance• The research fostered in these areas can have a profound impact on healthy living and on the prevention of common

chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis. • The Division of Education provides education and information to the scientific community and the public about research

findings, training programs and research areas, and coordinates educational events for the public on various health issues.• We invite people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the exciting research studies being conducted at the

Pennington Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. If you would like to take part, visit the clinical trials web page at www.pbrc.edu or call (225) 763-3000.

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References• Kevin E. Yarasheski , Exercise, Aging, and Muscle Protein Metabolism . Journal of

Gerontology, 2003, Vol. 58A, No. 10, 918–922. • Larson EB. et al. Exercise Is Associated with Reduced Risk for Incident Dementia

among Persons 65 Years of Age and Older. Ann Intern Med. 2006;144:73-81.• Kendrick, ZV. Exercise, Aging and Nutrition. Southern Medical Journal, 1994: 87

(5): S50-S60. • Limacher MC. Aging and cardiac function: Influence of exercise. Southern Medical

Journal 1994: 87 (5): S13-S16.

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References5. McMaster University. (2008, June 4). Brief, Intense Exercise Can Benefit The

Heart, Study Shows. Science Daily. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080604101529.htm

6. Protica Incorporated. (2005). Inactive Alert: Essential Proteins for SedentaryPeople. Inactivity. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from http://walking.about.com/od/healthbenefits/a/telomere1-08.htm?p=1

7. Simon, Harvey, MD. (2006). Exercise’s Effects on the Heart. Diet and Exercise. Retrieved August 11, 2009, from http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/healthy/tips.html

8. The Cleveland Clinic. (2007). Exercise for a Healthy Heart. Health and Fitness. Retrieved August 11, 2009, from http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/exercise-healthy-heart?print=true

9. The Franklin Institute. (2009). Everyday Heart Health Tips. Healthy Hearts. Retrieved August 11, 2009, from http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/healthy/tips.html