Connect with us

Fitness

Wisconsin woman prioritizes exercise after open-heart surgery

Published

on

Wisconsin woman prioritizes exercise after open-heart surgery

PEWAUKEE, Wis. — Heart disease, type 2 diabetes and different types of cancers are linked to living an inactive lifestyle, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). 


What You Need To Know

  • The American Heart Association encourages 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week for cardiovascular health
  • Cindy Milgram prioritizes daily movement after having open heart surgery in 2021
  • AHA reports that heart disease, type 2 diabetes and different types of cancers are linked to living an inactive lifestyle
  • AHA said the easiest way for someone to get moving and improve their health is to start walking


AHA said the easiest way for someone to get moving and improve their health is to start walking. This is something Cindy Milgram does often, even after open heart surgery.

“Working out indefinitely is a mental release,” Milgram said. “It’s relaxing; it allows you to focus and stay mindful on taking care of your body, listening to your body and doing what you need to stay heart healthy.” 

Since she lives an active lifestyle, Milgram was shocked in 2021 to find out she had a heart murmur.

“I was completely asymptomatic,” Milgram said. “I was going in for an annual physical. A physical that was a year later than I would have liked, but because of COVID, I did not go in.” 

Advertisement

She had open heart surgery to repair a leaky mitral valve.

“I was out for about six weeks,” Milgram said. “Then I had cardiac rehab, which most women don’t get prescribed. When they do, we encourage that because it’s what helped me return to a normal lifestyle.” 

Maddie Goetsch is the fitness coordinator at ProHealth West Wood Health and Fitness Center. She said the current exercise guidelines for cardiovascular health are 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week and 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. 

“It doesn’t have to be vigorous to get started, maybe just amp up the minutes a bit,” Goetsch said. “Any piece of equipment that’s getting your heart rate up. You think stair climber for those very advanced people. Even just treadmill, seated bike for my knee replacement folks. Anything that gets your heart rate elevated.” 

While exercise is nothing new for Milgram, she now realizes how important it is to live a heart-healthy life. 

Advertisement

Now, she’s on the board for AHA.

“Eating a heart-healthy diet or a healthy diet and being able to workout every day, exercising, even just walking 30 minutes a day makes all the difference,” Milgram said. “Most of cardiovascular disease can be prevented if you take care of your health at an early age.”

Fitness

Exercise may lower risk of premature death among people with diabetes – Harvard Health

Published

on

Exercise may lower risk of premature death among people with diabetes – Harvard Health

Researchers assessed data from nearly 52,000 adults with diabetes (average age 60, 50% women) for a 21-year period that began in 1997, tracking deaths through the end of 2019. Participants were divided into four activity groups, including inactive (no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity); insufficiently active (less than 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise); weekend warrior (at least 150 minutes weekly of such exercise over one or two sessions); and regularly active (at least 150 minutes weekly over three or more sessions).

Continue Reading

Fitness

Susquehanna launches exercise science degree program – Susquehanna University

Published

on

Susquehanna launches exercise science degree program – Susquehanna University

Susquehanna University will offer an exercise science degree program beginning in fall 2026. Students majoring in exercise science will be prepared to pursue in-demand careers in health, fitness and wellness.

“Exercise science is, at its core, a discipline driven by data, inquiry and a deep understanding of human physiology,” said Alissa Packer, department head and associate professor of biology at Susquehanna University. “By positioning this major within a liberal arts environment, we’re giving students the scientific foundation they need while also teaching them to think critically, communicate clearly and approach health from multiple perspectives.”

Offered by Susquehanna’s School of Natural & Social Sciences, the program will integrate coursework from the biological, physical and social sciences to prepare students for diverse careers and advanced study in fields such as health and wellness, physical therapy, rehabilitation, athletic training, strength and conditioning and exercise physiology, as well as for an advanced degree in physical therapy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in strength and conditioning is projected to grow by at least 12% over the next decade, while jobs in exercise physiology are expected to increase by 9%. 

Students graduating from Susquehanna with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science will possess a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical, physiological, biomechanical and neurological principles underlying human movement, exercise and performance, and master the skills necessary to design, implement and assess exercise programs and interventions that promote health, fitness and performance across diverse populations. The university also plans to collaborate with local partners to give students hands-on learning experiences and career pathways in the health and fitness industry.

Advertisement

“This major opens the door for students who want to translate science into meaningful impact,” Packer said. “Whether they pursue clinical fields, strength and conditioning or community wellness, our graduates will leave Susquehanna ready to improve lives through evidence-based practice and a deep understanding of the human body.”

Continue Reading

Fitness

Blood test results on Whoop? Welcome to the future of wearables

Published

on

Blood test results on Whoop? Welcome to the future of wearables

Health and fitness tracking company Whoop has edged closer towards the future of personalised medicine by rolling out a new feature allowing customers to upload and ask questions of their past blood test results.

It means users of the screenless trackers can upload biomarker information such as cholesterol and average blood glucose readings and view these alongside their step counts, exercise data, stress and sleep scores.

Loading…

Continue Reading

Trending