Exercise Causes Heart Attacks?

How dangerous is physical exercise?

Exercise-but carefully. This advice, from a number of medical sources, sends a mixed message, that leaves many people confused.  Can exercise actually cause a heart attack?

In one study, patients were interviewed an average of four days following a heart attack. They were asked about the time and place of the heart attack, what the pain was like, and any exercise during the twenty four  hours  before the onset of the heart attack.

In contrast to the perception, that heart attacks occur during strenuous activity, only 4.4% of the patients with heart attacks reported that they had engaged in heavy exercise in the hour prior to the attack.

Even though few heart attacks occurred during or immediately after exertion, heavy exercise did increase a person’s immediate risk, compared with the time they were inactive.

However, this increase in risk was not similar for all people and varied markedly depending on how much exercise they usually performed.

Those who exercised regularly had an overall lower risk of having a heart attack.

 Remember!  Consult your physician prior to beginning an exercise program.

Knowing your history, he can give you advice as to what you should be doing, or not doing. He may also have a suggestion as to an exercise professional, that can design an exercise program specifically for you.