Can exercise help with angina?

As a health and fitness expert with a focus on cardiovascular health, I can provide some insights into the relationship between exercise and angina. Regular exercise can indeed be beneficial for individuals with angina, as it helps improve overall cardiovascular fitness and can contribute to a reduction in the frequency and severity of angina symptoms. However, it's important to approach an exercise program with caution, especially when you have angina, because physical activity can initially trigger the symptoms of an angina attack. When starting an exercise program, it's crucial to begin with low-intensity activities and gradually increase the intensity and duration as your body adapts. This is known as exercise conditioning and can help make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood without causing chest pain. Over time, as your cardiovascular fitness improves, the frequency of angina attacks may decrease. This is because the heart becomes more efficient at using oxygen, and the blood vessels may dilate better, allowing for improved blood flow to the heart muscle. It's also worth noting that exercise can help with other risk factors for heart disease, such as weight management and blood pressure control. Losing weight and lowering blood pressure can both reduce the strain on the heart and help prevent future angina attacks. However, it's essential to work with your healthcare provider to develop a safe and effective exercise plan tailored to your specific needs and health conditions. They can monitor your progress and make adjustments as necessary to ensure you're exercising safely and effectively. In summary, while exercise can be challenging to start when you have angina, it can become an important part of managing and reducing the symptoms of the condition over time.

Regular exercise can also help you lose weight and lower your blood pressure. Starting an exercise programme when you have angina can be challenging as physical activity may trigger the symptoms of an angina attack. But the more you exercise, the less likely it is you'll have an angina attack.