The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1991-1992 (1-4. szám)
1992-06-01 / 3. szám
HelpYburU American Heart Association W Beat the Heat With Your Feet — Start Walking If it’s too hot to play sports, or you just don’t enjoy them, then try walking. An inactive lifestyle may increase your risk of having a heart attack. But regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, may help improve your cardiovascular health. Exercise can help improve your blood circulation, burn excess calories to help control weight, and release tension. But you can’t reap benefits if you don’t exercise right. A regular walking program may help prevent heart disease and condition the body if done for 30 to 60 minutes at least three times a week. Conditioning allows the body more oxygen and enables the heart to use it more efficiently. Walking can not only help you get in shape, but it can also help you look and feel good. If you’re at high risk for heart disease, over 40 years old or haven’t exercised before, you should see your doctor first You’ll need to take some precautions when you start an exercise program. You should not eat for two hours before you walk, and you should wait to eat until at least 20 minutes afterwards. Summertime temperatures can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but you can help prevent them. Be sure to drink water before, during and after walking. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur when the body becomes dehydrated and is unable to ade quately cool itself. The symptoms for heat exhaustion include a body ©1992, American Heart Association temperature that is below normal, dizziness, headaches, nausea and sometimes confusion. These symptoms may be followed by a collapse. A heat stroke can be more serious than heat exhaustion. It can cause dangerously high body temperatures, dizziness, headaches, thirst, nausea or muscle cramps. However, the two most evident signs of heat stroke are a lack of sweat and high blood pressure. If it’s too hot to exercise outside, then you can take a walk at a shopping mall, gym, health club or at other indoor facilities. You can also avoid the heat if you walk in the early morning or evening when the temperature is cooler. But at these times be aware of reduced visibility for yourself as well as for drivers. You may need to wear bright or reflective clothing. Wear light and loose-fitting clothing for summer exercise. Wear cotton or other porous materials because rubberized or plastic suits, sweatshirts and sweat pants don’t allow sweat to evaporate. Heavy, nonbreathable clothing can increase your body temperature and your risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. You also need a good pair ,M, of walking shoes. Choose . shoes with thick, flexible soles that 1 cushion the bottom of the foot and absorb shock for the “ rest of the body. So stay in shape and beat the heat with your feet. Walking can be fun exercise — and may help keep your heart healthy!
