More exercise means fewer heart attacks - that's the central message of Heart Week '98. Research has shown that you don't need to get "blue in the face" when physically active to make it effective, according to a medical expert.
Dr Conor O'Brien, consultant clinical neurophysiologist at the Blackrock Clinic, Dublin, says coronary heart disease continues to be a major killer of the western male, with Ireland having almost twice the EU average for premature cardiac deaths. The population, he says, is very sedentary and physical inactivity is considered to be an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Exercise for those over 40 does not mean getting "sweaty and blue in the face", he says. "The best thing is to do more over a longer period of time, which is much better than high intensity. This includes walking to church or simply walking to get the paper. You don't have to go out and buy a leotard or a track suit."
Even if you have already had a heart attack it is important to exercise to decrease the risk of another. However, despite the evidence, doctors are not inclined to prescribe exercise as a treatment, perhaps because of a fear of the associated risk of sudden death. This is a real concern, Dr O'Brien says, although the risks are very low, particularly for those who took regular exercise or those who gradually built up programmes.
The Irish Heart Foundation is running a public awareness campaign to show those who are not usually active that even small amounts of exercise can help. The aim is to encourage people to accumulate 30 minutes or more of physical activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, aerobics, dancing or cycling, most days of the week.
Any exercise is good for you, according to Dr O'Brien; if you already enjoy being active, aim to be so most days of the week for a least 30 minutes a session. Two to three shorter sessions of physical activity are suggested if a 30-minute session is difficult to fit in. Recent research confirms that low-intensity exercise, which carries a low risk of injury and illness, is sufficient to provide significant health benefits, including reduced body fat, lowered blood pressure and improved blood cholesterol.