FEB 21, 2019 11:11 AM PST

Is High Intensity Interval Training Appropriate for Heart Patients

WRITTEN BY: Abbie Arce
High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT, is a form of cardiovascular interval training that uses short bursts of near-maximal intensity exercise alternating with short periods of rest or active recovery.
These types of exercise sessions usually last about 20 minutes or less because of their high intensity. This timeframe is one of the factors that make HIIT so appealing. The workouts, although challenging, do not take long to complete.
Although this type of exercise stems from sports science, it may also have a place in cardiology. It is well known that heart patients who exercise lower the risk of death or heart disease. Previously though, it was not understood if HIIT would be appropriate for heart patients.
As this type of training started gaining popularity in the general population, researchers applied it to heart patients. They found that patients not only can tolerate this exercise modality but seem to enjoy it.

In the above video, Dr. Gordon Blackburn of the Cleveland Clinic discusses HIIT as an alternative for heart patients.

 
 
Sources: The Cleveland Clinic

 

About the Author
High School
Abbie is an AFAA certified personal trainer and fitness instructor with an interest in all things health-science. She has recently graduated with her BS in Applied Sport and Exercise Science from Barry University in Miami. Next, she intends to earn an MPH with a focus in Epidemiology.
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