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DOH urges people to be careful as they work out

"Most of these people are not even aware that they risk death from cardiovascular disorders. They just feel tired a lot."

Chen Chiung-chung, professor of physical education

The Department of Health says heart attacks are the third most common cause of death in Taiwan, claiming approximately 31 lives each day.

The department said that for people over the age of 35, the primary reason behind sport or exertion-related sudden death is coronary-artery disease.

Health officials held a press conference yesterday to urge the public to be more cautious before beginning strenuous physical exercise programs, noting that many people are not fully aware of the health risks they face.

"It is important, especially for men over the age of 35, to have a doctor verify their cardiovascular health before starting vigorous exercise programs," Chen Chiung-chung (陳俊忠), a professor at the Yang Ming University's Exercise Health Institute, told reporters.

Chen noted that 20 percent of deaths caused by heart disease in Japan are brought on by chronic fatigue followed by sudden exertion, adding that 30 percent of Taiwan's white-collar workers, or about 2.6 million people, have chronic fatigue.

The causes of chronic fatigue are usually stress, anxiety and lack of sleep.

Chen said that people under the age of 50 who suffer from chronic fatigue are usually in moderate cardiovascular condition. However, sudden activity, stimulation or exertion can lead to death, he said.

"Most of these people are not even aware that they risk death from cardiovascular disorders. They just feel tired a lot," Chen said.

Chen warned those over the age of 35 to avoid exercise routines that call for sudden or extended exertion as well as frequent position changes, although he encouraged routines that allow a person to control the pace of their exercise. He said rhythmic routines that call for regular muscle relaxation and contraction are best.

Chen suggested that exercise activities begin with a warm-up routine that keeps the heart beating at around 86 beats per minute, before moving on to activities that have the heart beating at 100 beats per minute.

He cautioned people to climb stairs at about half their normal walking speed. Taking a stairs 50 steps per minute will bring one's heart beat to 87 percent of the heart total exertion capability, he said.

Chen emphasized that exercise and diet are important components of disease prevention, adding, "Being overweight can lead to insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes and high-blood pressure."

He said that it is not one's weight that determines insulin resistance but how often one exercises and one's overall health.

Also at the press conference, Lin Shio-jean (林秀娟), director general of the Bureau of Health Promotion, reported the results of a nationwide survey into exercise habits and cardiovascular health.

She said 40.8 percent of people do not regularly exercise and 63.3 percent make no effort to control their weight. She said 27.2 percent of people with heart disease regularly drink alcohol and 21.9 percent smoke cigarettes.

Lin's survey was conducted last year and the results were based on 32,660 responses.
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