There are new indications that people who don’t exercise regularly may be at risk of cardiovascular events if they participate in intense exercise. The findings, which were published by the American Heart Association, recommend that Americans with sedentary lifestyles gradually build up to more intense exercise regimens.
The risks of intense exercise
Although no one disputes that exercise is good for the body, high-intensity exercise can be risky for those with heart conditions, as well as those who try to jump into serious exercise without progressively working up to it.
“Exercise is medicine, and there is no question that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is beneficial to overall cardiovascular health,” says Professor Barry A. Franklin, who chairs the writing committee for this new statement. “However, like medicine, it is possible to underdose and overdose on exercise—more is not always better and can lead to cardiac events, particularly when performed by inactive, unfit individuals with known or undiagnosed heart disease.”
The new warning came after research from 300 studies showed that, for people who are inactive or have underlying medical conditions, sudden bursts of intensive exercise could increase their chances of heart attacks or other cardiovascular events. When reviewing the studies, Franklin and his team found that first-time participants in triathlons made up nearly 40% of all cardiovascular events due to inadequate training.
How to build up exercise slowly
The argument “but I was an athlete in high school” just doesn’t cut it for someone who does little to no exercise but wants to jump into intense workouts. Franklin suggests that you first start walking regularly until it feels easy. Next, try incorporating some hills and then gradually work up to jogging.
If you have a heart condition, always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, and don’t let the new statement keep you from exercising at all. For most people, obesity poses are far greater health risk than any light to moderate exercise.
