On July 24, 2025, the American Pro -Wrestling -Promi Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was died at the age of 71. Hogan had chronic lymphocatical leukemia and a story of Atrial fibrillation or a-fibAn illness in which the upper chambers of the heart or Atria struck irregularly and often quickly. His cause of death was confirmed as an acute myocardial infarctiongenerally known as a heart attack.
Hogan became a well -known name in the 1980s and has long been known for maintaining fitness and a highly active lifestyle After 25 operations in 10 yearsincluding a neck operation in May.
Hogan's death has again steered the importance of maintaining heart health through movement. Many people think that bodybuilders are the “image” of health. However, the truth is that too much muscles can Increase the stress of the heart And can actually be harmful. So it may seem ironic that people who practice at an extreme level and look healthy on the outside can be quite unhealthy inside.
As a director of sports cardiology On the medical campus of the University of Colorado Anschutz, I see patients of all ages and of different levels of fitness who are interested in promoting health by training in your lifestyle or optimizing your current training program.
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Movement is the basis for good health
When people think of vital functions, they usually think about things such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate and blood oxygen level. However, the American Heart Association also includes “Fitness ”as an additional vital sign This should be taken into account if the general health and the risk of a patient for heart disease, cancer and death are determined.
While fitness can be determined in different ways, the best way is to check what is known Peak oxygen recording or VO2 Maxcalled a specialized assessment Cardiopulmonary exercise test. These can be carried out in many medical practices and clinics and offer a wealth of information in connection with general health as well as with heart, lung and skeletal muscle function.
Movement is one of the The most effective interventions to extend life And Reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases throughout life – in fact, extended lifespan and improvement Health spanWhat does the number of years mean that people spend good health.
In fact, a large study by the Cleveland Clinic showed that a low level of fitness represents a higher risk of death over time as other traditional risk factors that people think of in general, such as smoking, diabetes, coronary vessels diseases and severe kidney diseases.
In relation 2024 guidelines for primary prevention of stroke. The risk of stroke increases with the amount of sitting time that is spent all day long Four hours or more per day.
With regard to cognitive reduces the risk of dementia by almost 20%. In addition, the risk of Alzheimer's disease is twice as high compared to people who do the most compared to people who do the most.
There is also strong evidence that regular movement Reduces the risk of certain types of cancerIn particular, colon, breast and endometrium cancer. This reduction in cancer risk is achieved by several mechanisms.
On the one hand, obesity is a risk factor for Up to 13 forms of cancerand excess body weight is responsible for About 7% of all cancer deaths. Regular movement helps to maintain a healthy weight.
Second, movement helps to keep certain hormones – Like insulin and sex hormones – within a normal area. If these hormone levels become too high, they are too high Can increase the growth of cancer cells. Exercise too Helps to strengthen the immune system to fight pathogens and cancer cells by improving the ability of the body. This in turn Helps to prevent the growth of cancer cells And also reduces chronic inflammation, causing the damage to be harmed and increases the risk of cancer.
After all, movement improves the quality of life for all people, regardless of their health or age. In 2023 Hulk joked Hogan, “I am 69 years old, but I feel how I am 39. “”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezeo9pex_aa
The optimal dose of movement
Large health organizations like that American Heart AssociationPresent American Cancer Society And Department of Health and Human ServicesAll share similar recommendations when it comes to the amount of exercises should strive for people.
These organizations recommend all of the intensity exercises at least 150 minutes a week with moderate intensity exercises or at least 75 minutes per week. The moderate exercises include activities such as going quickly (2.5 to 4 miles per hour), playing double tennis or the uphill of the courtyard. Intensive movement includes activities such as jogging, running or shoveling snow.
A good rule of thumb for Find out how difficult a specific exercise IS is to apply the “most conversation”: During the exercise with medium intensity, you can speak but do not sing during the activity. During the energetic intensity, you can only say a few words before you have to stop and take a breath.
There are many solid data to support these recommendations. For example, there was a very large analysis of around 48,000 people who were followed for 30 years Those who followed the guidelines for physical activity for Americans.
Life can be busy, and some people may be difficult to press at least 150 minutes of movement during the week. “Weekend Warriors” – people who go all their exercise in one or two days on weekends – still – still – still – Get the advantages of the movement. A busy lifestyle during the week should not prevent people from doing their best to fulfill the guidelines.
What about the number of steps a day? In a new analysis in the lancet compared to walking, only 2,000 steps a day people Who went 7,000 levels a day had a 47% lower risk of death for any reason, a 25% lower risk of developing heart disease, a 50% lower risk of death in heart disease, a 38% lower risk of dementia, a 37% lower risk of dying cancer, a 22% lower risk of depression and a lower risk of falling.
Historical, People voted 10,000 steps a dayBut these new data indicate that simply walking 7,000 steps are enormous advantages every day.
It's never too late to start
A question that many patients ask me – and other doctors – is: “Is it ever too late to start training?” There is great data that indicates this People can use the advantages Even if you don't start a training program in the 1950s.
Sitting during aging will be cause how the heart and blood vessels get in mind. In this case, blood pressure can rise and people can be there is the risk of other things such as heart attacks, strokes or heart failure.
In a study with adults previously sitting with an average age of 53, two years of regular exercise the age -related stiffening of the heart turned around Otherwise, this occurs in the absence of routine training.
And it is important to remember that you don't have to look like a body builder or fitness guru to use the advantages of the movement.
Almost three quarters of the overall usage of cardiac, brain and metabolic health that can be obtained through movement are only achieved by following the guidelines.