Exercise for your Heart
"It can be tough for those who are active to watch family and friends who are suffering from the ill effects of
inactivity. Approximately 33% of deaths annually are due to heart disease. This article has some easy information for
those wanting to get someone active.”
Cardiovascular disease (including heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) is still the leading cause of death in New
Zealand, accounting for 33% of deaths annually.
Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease, with 172,000 New Zealanders currently living with heart
disease and are limited by it impacts.
To onlookers it can seem straightforward to make changes with the threat of disease or early death, but for many of the
New Zealanders who are inactive or at risk of heart disease due to insufficient exercise, or unhealthy food choices,
making the change to a healthier lifestyle can often be in the too hard basket.
The statistics are alarming but are often not enough of a reason for an individual to take the first step to change
habits, even if health issues are starting to arise.
That’s where friends and family come in by offering support and encouragement for someone who needs motivation to make
changes; changes that may save their life.
A good place to start is with getting active, as being physically active can reduce the risk of getting heart disease by
50%. There are also important extra benefits through eating a healthy diet and not smoking. The benefits are not just
for those wanting to prevent heart disease, as exercise can also lower blood pressure, and assist with reducing weight,
which are both risk factors for heart disease.
A good way to support someone to get moving is by offering the support and encouragement they need. This could be
offering to exercise with them, educating them about how easy it can be, and that they are able to work at their own
pace. Exercising with them could be something as simple as a walk or a stretching session to begin, or you could offer
to take them along to your gym. Positivity works better at motivating people, so focus on achievements rather than
stumbles.
Encourage them to talk to or get information from someone who can give them good advice, either from a reputable online
resource, or from a qualified expert. The first visit with an expert need not involved any actual exercise. Many
exercise professionals will offer an introductory meeting to find out how it all works.
While images of fit looking people doing great things can be motivational for regular exercisers, for someone new these
same images can be quite intimidating. The reality is that while the media promotes unrealistic body types, a look
around a gym or exercise facility these days shows just how diverse exercisers are, when it comes to age, size, fitness
levels and health status.
It’s worth knowing that every minute of exercise counts, with benefits increasing with time spent. The general
recommendation is that 30 minutes a day, most days is enough to have a significant health impact. And more good news,
the 30 minutes does not need to be completed in one session.
Where to access useful resources for someone new to exercise:
- REPs registered exercise professionals have access to a range of Tell Me More brochures packed full of information for
New Zealanders starting exercise suitable for those new to exercise.
- The Heart Foundation of NZ is a great resource for heart friendly advice:
ENDS