Why Exercise Is So Important
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Improved heart muscle performance! |
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Reduces oxygen demands on the heart! |
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Improves oxygen utilisation by other body tissues! |
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Reduces body weight! |
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Increases HDL cholesterol levels (the good type)! |
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Lowers Triglyceride levels! |
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Reduces LDL cholesterol levels (the bad type)! |
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Slows, and even reverses atherosclerosis! |
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Reduced stress levels! |
However undertaking an exercise programme which has shown significant
benefits in the form of improved fitness levels, weight loss, and the
stabilisation of lipid factors (blood cholesterols), is obviously superior
to traditional forms of exercise. The clinically proven results
obtained from the Nu-Life Cardiac Programme have
been achieved by exercising only three times a week for less than half
an hour per session for a period of six weeks, coupled with appropriate
diet modifications.
The Nu-Life Cardiac Interval Training Programme
is based on achieving and not exceeding certain target heart rates or
measurable work loads during your endurance phases of exercise. The exercise
may be undertaken by walking, on a treadmill, an exercise bicycle, arm
ergometer or swimming. Your target heart rate will vary according to
which type of exercise you choose. It is however not recommended that
you use an exercise apparatus which uses two form of work together, like
an exercise bicycle coupled with arm movement, as it is essential that
you are able to monitor your heart rate during your exercise. This
may be done by a number of methods:
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1. Palpation - by feeling your
pulse either at the radial artery at the wrist or the carotid artery
in the neck , counting the beats for fifteen seconds and then multiplying
the number by four.
2. By using an efficient heart rate meter which continually monitors
your heart rate during the exercise.
3. By the use of the HeartTel™ Monitor. This device
allows you to record a segment of your heart's electrical activity (an
elcectrocardiograph, or ECG) at the start of exercise and then again
at peak exercise. This recording is then uploaded electronically via
telephone to Neocardia's Central Monitoring Service.
This system also has the significant advantage that should you feel
any untoward cardiac symptom (eg. pain or palpitations) you can download
your ECG at any time for interpretation - not only during your exercise
segment. It is strongly recommended that patients with heart disease
or who have high risk factors should avail themselves of this facility.
If you decide to use our ECG monitoring service during the programme
we will advise you each week of your progress and give advice regarding
increasing your exercise levels. Copies of your ECG and its interpretation
will be forwarded separately to your doctor. In the unlikely event that
some abnormality has been detected in your heart recording, we will contact
you and your doctor as a matter of urgency with appropriate recommendations
from our Cardiologist Team.
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Whilst initially used in patients with pre-existing cardiac
disease the Nu-Life Cardiac Programme may
be used effectively by ANY individual, particularly those with low
exercise tolerance or obesity.
Gentle exercise is beneficial and enthusiastic very hard exercise
(whilst increasing your endorphans) may be dangerous particularly when
undertaken without medical approval. At this level of exercise the tissues
become anaerobic increasing levels of lactic acid in the body which reduces
the heart's response to catecholamines (the adrenalines).
The National Heart Foundation and other authorities recommend that before
undertaking an exercise programme you should consult your family doctor
particularly if you are over forty or have a family or past history of
heart disease. Indeed, Neocardia REQUIRES that you provide us with your
Local Doctor's contact details, and that you give us permission to contact
and share information with your Local Doctor. You are strongly advised
to discuss this programme and seek the agreement of your family doctor
or cardiologist before commencement.
The Neocardia Team will prescribe an individualised interval exercise
and diet programme that takes into consideration the prior medical history,
risk factors, and lifestyle factors you provide us.
*The exercise is individually designed either
from the results of a formal exercise study or based on target heart
rates derived from body characteristics.
*The level of exercise is controlled by heart rates.
*The exercise is interesting and the level
is increased during the programme.
*It requires only three sessions per week
for less than half an hour. The results are scientifically proven.
*Facilities for monitoring your progress through the programme is available
to maximise benefit and reduce risk of adverse reactions.
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