5.3M deaths caused by physical inactivity in 2008 globally
dubai – Physical inactivity increases your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50 per cent, according to an expert.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer worldwide and the disease is common in the Middle East, said Dr Abdalla Al Hajiri, consultant, interventional cardiology at Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai.
“Asians and Arabs in particular, develop cardiovascular disease at a young age… Almost 10 years earlier than Europeans and North Americans,” he said.
Cardiovascular disease includes heart attack, strokes, peripheral vascular disease and dilatations of measure arteries in the body where such dilatation is prone to rupture and sudden cardiac death.
Reports suggest that 5.3 million deaths around the world were caused by physical inactivity in 2008. Further studies estimate that 6 per cent of heart disease, 7 per cent of type 2 diabetes and about 10 per cent of colon and breast cancers are linked to lack of activity, said the doctor.
“Physical inactivity leads to obesity, which in turn results in high blood pressure and increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus and heart disease,” he said.
A heart attack is the death of a segment of heart muscles caused by a loss of blood supply. The blood is usually cut off when an artery supplying the heart muscle is blocked by a blood clot. If some of the heart muscles dies, a person experiences chest pain and electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue.
During a heart attack, the heart muscle loses blood supply and is damaged. Chest discomfort and pain are common symptoms. The risk of a heart attack increases when a man is over 45 and a woman is over 55.
Risk factors for heart attack are: Smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a family history of ischemic heart disease.
“Physical activity is beneficial for any normal individual and those with diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high BP and obesity, it has lots of benefits,” said Dr Al Hajiri.
Physical activity has benefits such as: Preventing heart attack, lowering risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke, helps in smoking cessation, improves immunity, reduces stress, tension, depression and anxiety, helps control weight, improves overall health and wellbeing, prolongs optimal health, and improves blood circulation.
“Any physical activity such as simple walking, or everyday things like gardening and climbing stairs are beneficial,” said the doctor.
“Aim to build up to a total of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate intensity activity each week. Doing 75 minutes vigorous physical activity per week will improve your cardiovascular health,” he said, adding that to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, it’s best to do 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, such as walking, jogging, swimming or biking.
Exercising for three or four times each week is beneficial in general.