Guide to Heart Disease

Q. What is this “exercise prescription” that we read about as a method of curing heart ailment ?
A. In the first instance, exercise cannot cure a heart ailment. Exercise trains the heart of a patient to endure certain physical workload so that a patient need not think that his heart is not capable of withstanding any physical exertion. By gradual training, the heart can be made capable. However, so far there is nothing to suggest that it has a curative value in the sense that it can make your heart stronger than before or that it would open up new collateral coronary channels.
At the same time, however, the beneficial value of exercise cannot be underrated. Exercise, in moderation, which makes you feel pleasantly tired, is certainly good. It tones up the body and makes you feel younger and fitter. The energy-levels, stamina and self-confidence are enhanced. Nature has provided us with legs which are meant for walking. They must be used, as we use all the other parts of the body.
The question comes up as to how much to use them ? The rational answer would be to use them well without getting too tired or fatigued. At the same time, do not try to be an over enthusiastic “muscle-man”. If you overdo any exercises, you will land up, in fact, precipitating a fresh heart attack, cardiac failure etc. Similarly, in a patient who has already got cardiac failure, exercise will weaken the heart further. Realizing the limitations and benefits of exercise, please settle down to strike a healthy balance.

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