How Does Heart Rate Change With Activity?
The heart pumps blood through the heart to the lungs and body. Activity levels have a large effect on heart rate since the heart needs to work faster to keep up with the oxygen demand of a body that is active.
-
Increased Activity
-
The heart rate will increase with physical activity. Body tissues and muscles call for more oxygen when you exercise, and the heart speeds up to meet this requirement.
-
Decreased Activity
-
The heart slows down when exercise, or physical activity, is ended. Since there is no longer a greater need for oxygen, the heart can return to its slower rate.
Importance
-
Aerobic activity is essential to the health of the heart, allowing it to work more efficiently. Exercise trains the heart to work harder, pumping more blood with each beat, not just faster.
Benefits
-
Regular activity will increase heart health. It can help control high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, and also lower blood cholesterol levels, according to the American Heart Association.
Recommendations
-
The American Heart Association recommends that healthy people get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days. You should always check with your physician before beginning a new exercise program.
References
- Photo Credit "Twitter 365 Project - Day 62" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: lu_lu (Luis Markovic) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
