Exercise, in general, is not a direct cause of stroke. Indeed, regular exercise is frequently suggested as a technique to lessen the risk of stroke by decreasing arterial stiffness, increasing blood flow, and lowering hypertension. Certain conditions that raise the risk of stroke, on the other hand, may be caused or aggravated by activity.
1. Begin gently.
Start softly and progressively raise the intensity if you are just beginning a new fitness plan. This will assist your heart in adjusting to the new demands placed on it. For example, if you want to start running, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity. Starting too fast might strain your heart and raise your chance of having a heart attack.
2. Warm-up and cool-down
Warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards. This reduces stress on your heart by gradually rising and reducing your heart rate. Stretching, walking, or modest aerobic activity can all be used as warm-ups. Stretching and deep breathing exercises should be included in a cool-down.
3. Keep hydrated
Keeping hydrated is critical to sustaining a healthy heart. Sweating causes fluid loss during exercise, thus it is critical to restore those fluids. Water or electrolyte-containing sports drinks can help replace lost fluids.
4. Keep an eye on your heart rate.
Monitoring your heart rate while exercise is an excellent strategy to avoid a heart attack. Keep track of your heart rate using a heart rate monitor and keep it at a safe range. The American Heart Association suggests keeping your heart rate between 50 and 85% of your maximal heart rate.
5. Select the appropriate workout
Choosing the correct workout is critical for avoiding a heart attack. Swimming, cycling, and walking are all excellent low-impact exercises. High-impact exercises like running and jumping can put additional pressure on your heart and raise your chance of having a stroke.
