A Study on the Effect of Step Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein and Low Density Lipoprotein on a Patient With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Study

Abstract

Background: Myocardial Infarction is the leading cause of global mortality. The prevalence rate is 30 million in India. Researchers have found that step aerobic exercise is more effective than other exercises in reducing body fat & blood pressure. This study was designed to examine the effects of moderate intensity step aerobics on heart rate, blood pressure, triglycerides, High density lipoprotein & Low density lipoprotein on a patient with acute Myocardial Infarction. Materials and Methods: A 55 years old male diagnosed with acute anterior wall Myocardial Infarction was selected for the study based on risk stratification schema two months post discharge from hospital. The exercise session consisted of a 3 phase exercise program 1) a warm-up (10 min of dance aerobics); 2) aerobic exercise training (20 min of step aerobics); 3) a cool-down (10 min of breathing and flexibility exercises) total 40 minutes duration and included three sessions per week. Exercise intensity was controlled by monitoring targeted heart rate. Measurements of Heart rate, Blood pressure were recorded before, at 5 min & 40 min post intervention. Triglycerides, HDL & LDL levels were measured at baseline and at 8th week post intervention. Results: It shows variations in systolic blood pressure and heart rate at baseline and after 8 weeks. No difference in diastolic blood pressure. Significant difference between high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and triglycerides level was observed at the end of 8 weeks. Conclusion: Our findings showed that step aerobics significantly improved heart rate, systolic Blood Pressure and experienced an increase in HDL. This type of currently 'popularised' low-cost step aerobic exercise has an important role in the prevention and reducing the morbidity of cardiovascular diseases.