An adult heart beats approximately 100,000 times a day, some 3 billion times during a 70 year lifetime. A program of cardiovascular training can result in additional oxygen reaching the body’s tissues when the body is at rest. The heart will pump more blood and beat fewer times per minute getting the same amount of work done. Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise not only conditions the heart but also our some 60,000 mile long system of blood vessels. A motivating thought is that this mood boosting activity can produce measurable physiologic change in your body’s tissues that can help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. An article by Mier et al measured an increase in the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute, decreases in blood pressure, and heart rate after just ten days of hour long aerobic training in sedentary people. This is wonderful because these changes are attainable for most people in a very reasonable amount of time. Congratulations if you have achieved a level of participation you are pleased with! On another hand, if you feel that some part of your health history may limit your ability to safely implement and benefit from regular cardiovascular program, a physical therapist may be a good resource for you.
Anna Kotula, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
T 805.798.1408
7-15-05
