#5 My Final Thoughts

I have found it very interesting that physical activity is very important for specific health conditions and decreasing, but not eliminating the risk of heart disease. My thinking on exercising to prevent certain health problems having to deal with blood pressure and cholesterol, which could lead to heart problems, has been taken seriously and I will now find the time to make sure it is included in my daily routine. I'm always going to wonder why society is not taking it serious, and what is out there to help to stay as active as the recommendations. I learned that inactivity could lead to serious complications to anyone of all ages and that is something to argue about. Get the family involved in physical activities and make it a habit. Why not take the time to better yourself within? It only takes 30 minutes each day which is only 2.08% of a whole day; time is not an excuse! What are some ways to succeed in keeping a steady active life? Nowadays there is different gadgets that help keep track of your activity. Why not invest in one and take the first step in becoming more active? Your body will thank you later. Keep in mind, when taking the time to be active, risks can arise and different types of activity need to be taken seriously and with caution.  I am fulfilled in all the information and the articles I came across and I'm glad I got many of my questions answered. I feel like I learned a lot and not only will I pass on the information but also try to get involved in more activities and include my family and friends. Don't we want to better their lives too? Thinking of ways to be active like playing sports or swimming can help, it doesn't necessarily have to be somewhere you feel obligated to be.    

#4 How Serious Is Inactivity?

Why don't we all see the picture clearly when it comes to physical activity and maintaining a stronger, longer life? According to Heart Health Update, Dr. Robertson argues that "Heart Attacks will kill more than 460,000 Americans this year." She mentions how exercise helps your heart in many ways, individuals who exercise can lower their cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and lower the risks towards blood clots. Dr. Robertson includes that many studies have been made but researchers are still trying to come to a conclusion to how to prevent it and treat it. She adds that heart disease can start at a very young age and therefore we need to start living better lifestyles. She also mentions that other than physical activity there are other risk factors as well that can lead to a bad heart which could include smoking, eating habits, and much more. In Heart Health Update, Dr Robertson says researchers did a study on 268 men and fat hormones and the ones who weren't active had high fat hormones and the ones who were active did not and that proved that the ones who were active had reduced weight, which lowered their risk of heart disease. Anyone could get heart disease; it does not matter how young or old you are. Living a healthier and more active life in order to reduce the risk is very beneficial.

Being more active in ways that you don't have to consider it just "exercise" helps. I feel like staying active has a big role in preventing disease and helping your body. Why is it that researchers do not have the answers yet? Have the studies not been as reliable? Many people die from this disease and action needs to be taken in order to provide us with more accurate studies on how we could protect ourselves. If the studies were the "real deal" would people change and become more active or would they continue on with the risk?

Works Cited

CBSN. “Don't supersize your exercise: Too much can be bad for the heart.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 14 May 2014. Web. 7 July 2016.

Robertson, Rose Marie. “Heart Health Update.” The Washington Post, (2000). Web. 7 July 2016.

#3 Stay Heart Healthy

How and when can we protect ourselves from serious complications? According to the article More Is Better research stated that walking a minimum of 30 minutes each day could not be enough to prevent heart failure, people who were active more than two times the recommended amount had a lower risk of heart failure and more than 4 times more active had a slightly lower chance. The research found that doing just a little exercise a day is not enough but increasing double the amount will reduce the risk of heart failure. According to More Is Better the recommended amount from the federal guidelines and The American Heart Association is doing about 150 minutes a week of light activity, 75 minutes of intense activity or a mixture of both. More is Better quoted Berry, "we've had tremendous success in reducing coronary heart disease. . . the findings from the present study suggest that higher levels of physical activity may help. . ."

In The New York Times I found an article that stated that exercise helps circulate the blood, helps with cholesterol levels as well as weight, arteries, high blood pressure and blood vessels. The recommended amount is 30 minutes each day by The American Heart Association. People who live an active life have a 45 percent lower chance from heart disease. Weight training is an added bonus which helps as well. The New York Times mention that overdoing exercise can be dangerous and lead to a heart attack or even death, and you should listen to warning signs that your body may be trying to tell you.

The two articles have some similarities because they both included the American Heart Association and had some similar views that exercise is very important in order to maintain a healthy heart. The first article really focused on just heart failure and exercise and the second article included more about other common problems that are related to heart failure but at the same time exercise. Both articles came across the amount of time needed to be active in order to receive the benefits but the first article mentioned that the minimum is not enough to reduce the risk of heart disease and the second article mentions doing too much can be life threatening. Why is it that the first article More Is Better is trying to argue that the minimum exercise requirements are not enough but does not warn anybody about too much physical activity can be life threatening?

Works Cited

A.D.A.M. “Exercise’s Effects on the Heart.” The New York Times, 17 June 2013. Web. 6 July 2016

“More Is Better” American Heart Association. Heart Insight, 5 Oct. 2015. Web. 6 July 2016

Peverill, Emma “chronic effects of exercise on the heart.” Online video clip. YouTube, 7 May 2012. Web. 7 July 2016

    

#2 Exercise Preventing Cardiac Disease

Credit: Google

In the article "Exercise is Still the Best Medicine" the author points out that exercise could be the key why people not only live longer but their well being later in life will improve. Once people hit their 70's and above they are more likely to have a disease. Getting old is the part of everyone's life but our risks for diseases increase because we are not only storing more fat but are becoming weaker. The author included an example on a study where in the long term researchers looked closely at data that they collected on cardiovascular health which included studies on body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and a treadmill test results where the people with the best treadmill scores were 18 percent less likely to die within 30 years. The more exercise that one can get the better it will have effects on you in the long run. In as little as 15 minutes of exercise most days can help reduce cardiovascular risk and also slow down the aging process toward disease and be able to function properly.

Another chosen article was "Walking for Survival" by Robert Wilbur where he states that since the 1950's cardiologists and fitness experts have linked physical activity to prevention and recovery to heart attacks. "The American Heart Association added inactivity to the list of risk factors for heart disease." Wilbur points out that there is not much data to prove that physical activity could be linked to heart attacks. He also noted that in other articles mentioned strenuous activities such as weightlifting can trigger a heart attack. He mentions Victor Froelicher, M.D, a founder of the American Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation formed a theory that aerobic exercises make the body more relaxed and decrease the work of the heart, preventing a heart attack. Wilbur mentions more studies need to be done.
 After reviewing both articles I find that there are many differences when the authors are writing about exercise. I see two different point of views; in the first article the author based his views on a study and quotes from doctors. He stated that exercise has a lot to do with our health later in life, as well as preventing disease and how it can be very beneficial for us. In the second article the author is trying to prove that there is not much evidence out there that proves inactivity is leading to heart disease. He stated that more studies and research need to be done. After reading the articles I want to try to find other articles with proven studies and research on how exercise can be beneficial on ones body. Everybody has there own point of views on the kind of activity they do or not do at all.

Works Cited

American Heart Association. “Health Tips to Get Active, Exercise.” Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 27 Mar. 2013. Web. 30 June 2016.

"Exercise Is Still The Best Medicine." Harvard Heart Letter 25.3 (2014): 1-7. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 July 2016.

Wilbur, Robert. "Walking For SURVIVAL." American Fitness 19.5 (2001): 53. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 June 2016.

#1 The Importance of Exercise

Have you ever wondered if exercise could be the cure to many health problems? I have heard that it can help prevent many diseases later in life. Could it be the answer we’re all hoping to hear or is it relevant to think of looking at exercise in a way that it could be a cure for many common health problems?

Credit: Google (Oliver Burston)

Sometimes I think to myself that I want to start exercising more but I feel like there’s not enough time and I could do something more important, but then I feel like exercising should be put in my schedule as a first priority. Are people cutting it off because they have more important stuff to do? I understand how busy one’s life is because I have 4 kids myself and I struggle to find the time; I can only imagine someone trying to find the time having a job, kids, housework, school, etc. How much time does one need to exercise in order to get the benefits? I always feel like if I’m only going to work out for ten minutes, why even bother? Will taking the time of day to exercise really help against diseases and complications? I feel like if this is true why are people not taking action? If work is a few blocks away, go walking or if it is a mile or two away, ride a bicycle; small things like this will benefit you in many ways.

Credit: Google

In order to find the answers, I will find articles related to exercise and health and the effects on our body if we do not exercise. I will also want to look into articles on how and why people get diseases and weigh it all down. Moreover, I think the articles that are written from specialists and doctors will have much useful information.

My Inquiry

My Inquiry: Is exercise the cure to heart disease? I chose this inquiry because many people do not see the importance of exercising or overall wellness. I want to learn more about living an active life and if being active is the cure to health problems later in life.