The second question in our series is how does exercise help reduce our risk of heart attacks and affect our blood pressure?
Physical inactivity is now considered one of the prime risk factors that contributes to our poor cardiovascular health and increased mortality (through heart attacks and strokes). So, how does exercise benefit us? There are multiple scientifically researched and proven mechanisms, and we will clarify two of the most common.
The first is heart attack reduction.
Atherosclorosis (the building up of materials in the arteries that reduce or block blood flow) has been show to be initiated by inflammation in the lining of the artery. This is in response to an injury or damage that is caused by factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high fat diets and being obese. The white blood cells attach to the injury site (which does not usually occur), which initiates the process of that blockage build up. This then initiates the building of a blood clot which can become a blockage. This is the main cause of heart attacks.
Having a higher regular level of activity and a better cardio-respiratory fitness, reduces the issue of the inflammation that initiates the process in the first place. The muscles produce an anti-inflammatory substance that helps reduce all kinds of inflammation associated with many chronic diseases.
The second is how it reduces blood pressure.
As with the heart attacks, clots and blockages can cause our blood pressure to increase because our body has to increase pressure to increase the blood flow being hampered by the narrowing of the arteries. Regular long term exercise will help this, much in the same way it reduces heart attacks, by stopping the inflammation processes caused by many diseases that initiate the building of blockages. With clear arteries, the body does not have to increase our blood pressure to ensure that the required amount of oxygen gets to where it is needed.