32,000 people die every year in Austria from a cardiovascular disease. A number that might be reduced significantly with simple means: with the help of exercise, for example, which, if used and dosed correctly, can be as effective as a drug.
With a full-body workout, for example, the cardiovascular system is specifically strengthened with interval training. High-impact, high-pulse exercise is followed by low-impact exercise to slow your heart rate. According to fitness trainer Matthias Snobe, it is important not to overstrain yourself during the exercise session.
“Everyone should be at regarding 70, 80 percent of their capacity at the high interval and then really make sure that you don’t go over it to stay in the healthy range,” explained Snobe.
More and more important as you get older
If you exercise regularly, you should also have a routine health check. This is important to Manfred Wonisch, especially in old age. For 75-year-old Gerhard Müller, exercise is simply part of everyday life: “I always say that the best thing is to do a little sport – for heart rate and oxygen. I travel a lot,” says the pensioner.
“You should also prescribe sport”
The human heart muscle adapts to the higher load through regular training. At rest, the heart has to beat less often and is less stressed. The blood volume per heartbeat increases. When monitored by a doctor and used correctly, exercise and sport act like medication.
“For example, you can treat or support blood pressure, you can prevent diabetes or treat it with support through sport. Of course, exercise also helps once morest obesity. The drug sport should also be prescribed, like any other usual drug. So you should define how often you use what,” explained cardiologist Manfred Wonisch.
Sport also has side effects
It is important that side effects are taken into account. Too much movement is just as counterproductive as permanent overloading of the body or incorrect exercises. Pre-existing conditions must be taken into account. So the right dosage is also important when it comes to sport medicine.
