Hypertension is a common risk factor for heart disease. Singapore’s Ministry of Health reports that 25% of the country’s adult population is prone to the condition. So it is imperative to reduce these risks by strengthening the heart.

1. Strengthening the
Heart through
Swimming
Mt Elizabeth Hospital
Orchard
3 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228510
Tel: 6562500000

2. Hypertension is a common risk factor for heart disease. Singapore’s
Ministry of Health reports that 25% of the country’s adult
population is prone to the condition. So it is imperative to reduce
these risks by strengthening the heart.
While it is known that exercise
improves heart health, various and
more effective methods can get the
heart in good shape. There are
some exercises that focus on cardio
and these are usually the most
effective ones. Jogging, running and
the like are included on the list for
effective cardio workouts that
slowly increase the heart rate and
eventually strengthen it.
Swimming, on the other hand,
despite being more popularly known
as a sport, is also a heart-
strengthening exercise that
prevents the heart from weakening.
Why the Heart Weakens
The heart is expected to be the strongest organ in the body
and should maintain doing its functions in the said manner. Beware
of the following reasons that weaken the heart:
Lifestyle:
Working a desk job leads to a sedentary lifestyle that can then
risk the acquisition of a heart disease. An active lifestyle, on the
other hand, prevents it.

3. Food
An important aspect of heart health is the regulation of
the food intake and their fat count. Eating food with high fat
content risks the veins’ pathways being blocked; upon the event
of which causes a blood clot.
Stress
Emotional triggers may seem abstract, but their effects on
the body are very physical and can be dangerous to the heart.
Frequent feelings of stress affects daily habits and even food
options that can affect the heart’s health.
How the Heart is Strengthened through Swimming
Apart from the relaxing effect of having the body submerged in water,
it also affects the heart positively by putting it in an environment that
can regulate its efforts.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Being submerged in water allows the heart to work more efficiently
even at a slower pace, as water slows it down by 10-15 beats per
minute. Moreover, the water’s hydrostatic pressure pushes equally on
all surfaces of the body, therefore aiding venous return or the blood
flowing back to the heart.

4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Since hypertension is due to high blood pressure, the water’s effects
on the body lowers this rate. During deep-water exercises, the chest
becomes heavier and, therefore, regulates the heart’s efforts to pump
blood throughout the body.
Better Blood Circulation
A healthy blood flow not only makes for a healthy heart, it also makes
for a healthy body. With the right amount of pressure and blood
running through the veins, the limbs are easier to move and are less
prone to arthritis.
Why the Heart Weakens
The heart is expected to be the strongest organ in the body and should
maintain executing its functions in the said manner. Beware of the
following reasons that weaken the heart:
Lifestyle
Working a desk job leads to a sedentary lifestyle that can then risk the
acquisition of a heart disease. An active lifestyle, on the other hand,
prevents it.
Food
An important aspect of heart health is the regulation of the food intake and
their fat count. Eating food with high fat content risks veins’ pathways being
blocked; upon the event of which causes a blood clot.
Stress
Emotional triggers may seem abstract, but their effects on the body are very
physical and can be dangerous to the heart. Frequent feelings of stress
affects daily habits and even food options that can affect the heart’s health.
RESOURCES:
Mt Elizabeth Hospital - http://www.beheartstrong.com.sg/heart-
procedures/what-role-does-catheter-based-interventions-play-in-
treating-hypertension/
Hydroco – http://hydroco.com/hydroco-benefits-of-water.html
http://www.blindtextgenerator.com/lorem-ipsum
CDC -
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_e
xercise.html