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The cardiovascular system Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, May 2009.

Answers to questions about the cardiovascular system

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

What sorts of exercises can I do to keep my heart healthy?

You can improve the health of your heart (your cardiovascular fitness) through different types of physical activity or exercises.

Explanation

The best kind of exercise for your heart is aerobic activity - this means that it involves or improves the use of oxygen by your body. This is essential for improving your cardiovascular fitness. Aerobic activity can be any repetitive exercise that involves the large muscle groups of your legs, shoulders or arms.

Good forms of cardiovascular exercise include running, aerobics, cycling and swimming. It's important to realise that exercise can also include all kinds of day-to-day activities such as:

  • gardening
  • climbing stairs
  • walking
  • vacuuming

Always check with your GP before starting an exercise programme, especially if you have a condition for which you are taking prescribed medicines. He or she will be able to advise you on the best way to increase your physical activity.

Further information

Sources

  • Physical activity and your heart. British Heart Foundation. Heart Information Series Number 1. 2005. www.bhf.org.uk
  • Get active! British Heart Foundation, 2005, G12. www.bhf.org.uk
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I have diabetes and I have heard this can affect my heart. Do I need to take special precautions?

If you have diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing heart disease. However, your GP can advise you how you can reduce your risk by making lifestyle changes and controlling your diabetes.

Explanation

If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have high blood pressure and high levels of fats in your blood. Diabetes can also affect the heart muscle itself, making it a less efficient pump and making it more likely that you will develop heart disease. So, if you have diabetes, your GP will probably prescribe medicines to treat some of the risk factors that you may have. For example, he or she may give you medicines to lower your blood cholesterol level or aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clotting. If you smoke, your GP will also encourage you to stop smoking.

If you have high levels of both triglycerides (a type of fat) and cholesterol in your blood, you have a greater risk of heart disease. The risk is particularly high if you also have a low level of HDL cholesterol ('high-density lipoprotein', or 'good' cholesterol), which is more likely if you have diabetes. You may need to take a medicine known as a statin to reduce your cholesterol levels, and you may also need to have another medicine to control your triglyceride levels. Cutting down on fats in your diet, particularly saturated fats (which are found mostly in meat and dairy products), will also help.

High blood pressure is common in people with diabetes and it's important to control it. If you have diabetes, you should aim to have a blood pressure below 130/80mmHg, or lower than that if your kidneys are already damaged. You may be able to control your blood pressure by losing excess weight, doing more exercise and cutting down on alcohol and salt, although you may need to take medicines too.

Being physically active may help to reduce the amount of medicine or insulin you need to take for your diabetes, and can help reduce the risk of heart disease. It's important to monitor your blood glucose carefully as you start to build up your level of physical activity because you may need to change the dose of your medication. Your GP can advise you about this.

Further information

Sources

  • Diabetes and your heart. British Heart Foundation. Heart Information Series Number 22. 2005. www.bhf.org.uk
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Can too much stress in my life really cause heart disease?

Stress isn't the only cause of heart disease but when combined with other risk factors, such as smoking, lack of physical activity, and high blood cholesterol, it can act to increase your risk of developing it.

Explanation

Many people think that heart disease is caused by years of stress. However, there is no evidence to show that stress alone causes heart disease, even though stress can cause your blood pressure to increase. However, the way you try to cope with stress may increase your risk of developing heart disease. Stress can encourage less healthy behaviour, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and over-eating.

Sources of stress can include relationships, work, health, financial problems, and major events such as moving house, bereavement or divorce.

A good way of identifying your sources of stress is to keep a diary and write in it when you are feeling stressed. This might help you to work out why you feel more stressed on some days than others. Once you have identified the possible causes of your stress, you can then take steps to tackle them and change how you respond to stressful situations.

If you can't change a source of stress, aim to try and change your attitude towards it. Think about how you respond when you find yourself in a stressful situation. Then try and think about how you could change both your physical and mental response to it.

A balanced diet and regular physical activity can help you to feel more ready to cope with potentially stressful situations. It's also important to learn how to relax - yoga and other relaxation techniques may help.

Talking to friends, colleagues or family members about any worries you have can help. If you think you are stressed or very anxious, talk to your GP who will be able to help you decide on the best way to deal with it.

Further information

Sources

  • Diabetes and your heart. British Heart Foundation. Heart Information Series Number 22. 2005. www.bhf.org.uk
  • Work-related stress. Health and Safety Executive. www.hse.gov.uk, accessed 1 April 2008
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: May 2009

 

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