A Canadian heart health specialist says it's not too late for people who've been finding themselves more sedentary during the pandemic to now get moving and improve their heart health.

Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput is the Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa, as well as a Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute. 

"When we look at behaviours overall, I think before the pandemic, we were not doing well in terms of physical activity, for example," says Chaput. "We know that as a result of the lockdowns we've seen declines in physical activity levels of Canadians, more screen time, more alcohol consumption, and fast food. It's had a toll on us."

All of these factors are not benefitting people's heart health, according to Dr. Chaput. He says a few people have found it easier to work out or move more by working from home and having a flexible schedule, but overall, active lifestyles have declined.  

"For the average Canadian we've seen a decline in physical activity. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours lead to unhealthy mental and physical health."

Chaput encourages people to do any sort of cardiovascular activity as it will benefit people's heart health.

"Walk outside, run, bike, stuff like that. It helps to pump the blood in our bodies. The human body is meant to be active."

Taking Care of Heart Health

According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, they recommended that people are physically active for 150 minutes each week. 

"If you think about five days of the week, that's 30 minutes a day of heart-pumping activity. This is good for your blood pressure, heart rate, everything. I think the best pill you can have is to be active every day."

Chaput shares that people have misconceptions about being active and think they can only do so at a gym.

"Any movement counts and everything matters. In the old days we thought to be healthy we needed to sweat and go to the gym. You don't need to sweat or go to the gym if you don't like it. We need to change the mindset of people. Everyone can dance or walk, play with their kids."

Chaput says it needs to become a part of a lifestyle habit, like brushing teeth. 

"If we don't move, we just die younger. It's important to be active because the body needs it and we want to live a happy and long life."

Being active will help the heart to function better as well as improve people's mental health. 

"By being active it's a very good pill for your mental health. The pandemic has had an effect on people's mental health. We've seen an increase in stress, depression, and anxiety. By moving more, it really helps with our mental health and energy."

The greatest benefits will show up in people who are not used to moving. When they start doing an activity, the body responds very well. 

"The biggest bang for your buck if you look at all of the studies for your heart, your mental health and everything, it's those that don't move and are inactive who start to move a bit."