How Aerobic Exercise Keeps Heart Healthy
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How Aerobic Exercise Keeps Heart Healthy

Aerobic exercise, also known as cardiovascular exercise, is any activity that raises your heart rate and increases your breathing for an extended period of time. This type of exercise has numerous benefits for overall health, but it is particularly important for maintaining a healthy heart.

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

One of the primary ways that aerobic exercise benefits the heart is by improving cardiovascular fitness. When you engage in regular aerobic exercise, your heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood and oxygen throughout your body. This can help to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.

According to leading cardiovascular surgeon Dr Ramji Mehrotra, aerobic exercise can also help to reduce cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, both of which are risk factors for heart disease. Additionally, it can help to improve blood flow to the heart, which can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Another way that aerobic exercise benefits the heart is by helping to manage weight. Being overweight or obese puts extra strain on the heart, and regular aerobic exercise can help to burn calories and shed excess pounds. This can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall heart health.

Aerobic exercise can also help to reduce stress and improve mental health, both of which are important for maintaining a healthy heart. Stress can take a toll on the heart, and regular exercise can help to reduce stress and improve mood. In addition, exercise has been shown to improve sleep quality, which is important for overall health and heart health.

Types of Aerobic Exercise

There are many different types of aerobic exercise that can benefit the heart, including walking, running, swimming, cycling, and dancing. You can take up any activity that you like and which matches your fitness level and goals.

To get the most benefits from aerobic exercise, Dr Ramji Mehrotra recommends engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity. This can be broken down into smaller increments of time throughout the week, such as 30 minutes of exercise on 5 days per week.

It’s also important to warm up before engaging in aerobic exercise to help prevent injury. This can involve a few minutes of light stretching or walking to get your muscles and heart rate prepared for more strenuous activity. It is also important to cool down after exercise by gradually reducing the intensity of your activity and stretching to help your muscles recover.

In addition to regular aerobic exercise, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to support a healthy heart. This can include eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, as well as quitting smoking, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.

Conclusion

Dr. Mehrotra says that aerobic exercise is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy heart. It can improve cardiovascular fitness, reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes, improve blood flow to the heart, help manage weight, and reduce stress and improve mental health.

To get the most benefits, it is recommended to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. By incorporating aerobic exercise into your routine, you can keep your heart healthy and strong.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus
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What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Defect?

Patent ductus arteriosus is a very common heart condition found in new born babies. It occurs because the ductus arteriosus blood vessel doesn’t close properly after birth.

Babies born prematurely are more likely to be affected by PDA. The risk of PDA increases the earlier the baby is born. PDA affects 10% of babies born between 30 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, 80% of babies born between 25 and 28 weeks of pregnancy and 90% of babies born earlier than 24 weeks of pregnancy.

PDA is also more commonly seen in girls than in boys.

Cause of PDA

Every baby has a ductus arteriosus, which is a foetal artery connecting the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This opening usually narrows and closes within a few days after birth. If it continues to remain open it is known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

While a small PDA may not generally cause any problems, a large PDA can lead to the flow of poorly oxygenated blood in the wrong direction. This can cause heart failure and other complications such as pulmonary hypertension and blood vessel damage.

Causes of PDA include genetic disorders or a family history of the condition. Babies with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome which is a breathing problem or those born to mothers who had rubella during pregnancy are also at risk of developing PDA.

Symptoms

PDA symptoms vary according to the size of the defect. Small PDAs may not have symptoms apart from a heart murmur and may go undetected until adulthood.

Large PDAs may cause symptoms such as:

  • Persistent rapid breathing.
  • Breathlessness
  • Sweating often
  • Fatigue
  • or tiredness
  • Feeding and eating problems
  • Poor weight gain
  • Rapid heart rate

It is important to consult a doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are noticed in the baby.

Diagnosis and Treatment

PDA in premature babies and in neonates may be the cause of respiratory compromise. Many a time’s medicine is effective. In cases where medicine has failed or cannot be given due to many reasons, surgery is required. 

The paediatric cardiologist may recommend various tests such as Chest X-ray, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Echocardiogram, etc to diagnose the PDA.

A small PDA may close on its own as the child grows and may not require treatment. Doctors will prescribe the medication as required.

Large PDAs may require treatment that includes cardiac catheterization or surgery. Catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure where the doctors use a flexible tube or catheter and insert a coil through it into the heart to close the PDA. In PDA surgery an incision is made to the side of the chest and the PDA is closed with stiches or a metal clip.

Life after PDA treatment

After receiving treatment for PDA, children can lead normal, healthy lives. Activity levels, appetite, and growth will return to normal within a short duration. Periodic check-ups with the paediatric cardiologist will ensure that there are no heart or lung problems.