Should You Continue Doing Cardio Interval Training Exercises?

A study conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service concerning health of the US population has revealed the risk factors of heart disease. The results of the study have shown that groups at the highest risk for developing heart disease are:

- men
- people older than 35 years of age
- tobacco smokers
- people suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension)
- people with high cholesterol
- all with a family history of cardiovascular disease

In addition to the mentioned risk groups, some other researchers have also shown that the risk for developing heart disease is increased in individuals with highly anxious and compulsive personality.

Heart disease risk factors can be divided into two major categories. The first category encompasses factors which are beyond control such as gender, age and genetic factors, while the risk factors from the second category - tobacco smoking, hypertension and high blood pressure called "the triple threat" can be reduced or completely avoided. The risk of heart attack is twice as high in people who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day than in nonsmokers and five times as high if smoking tobacco, suffering from hypertension, eating unhealthy diet that is high in fat content and being inadequately physically active.

Considering that the mentioned risk factors harm the heart the first step to improve heart health is obviously quit smoking and eating a healthy diet low in fat content. The second most important thing in heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease is adequate physical activity and cardio interval training.

Many studies that were conducted after the World War II have shown the importance of adequate physical activity for heart health. One of the best known studies has compared the prevalence of heart disease in 31,000 bus drivers and conductors. The study has shown that the risk of developing heart disease was significantly higher in bus drivers who spent most of the time sitting behind the wheel than in conductors who walked around the bus and climbed the stairs frequently. The link between physical activity and heart health has been also confirmed by a series of other studies that showed that the risk of heart disease is 49% higher in people who are inadequately physically than in people who exercise regularly.

Regular exercise and cardio interval training are therefore crucial for a healthy heart as well as for overall health and well-being. Adequate physical activity also increases metabolism (which helps lose weight), improves lung function and relieves stress.

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