From: Dr. Neal Pinckney (hnl02-061.gst.aloha.net)
Subject: Re: A follow up questions on exercise and HDL cholestrol
Date: October 01, 1999 at 22:22:03 PST

In Reply to: A follow up questions on exercise and HDL cholestrol posted by Bob on October 01, 1999 at 19:37:37:

In general, exercising to maintain a heart rate of from 65% to 80% of one's MHR (maximum heart rate, age adjusted = 220 minus one's age) is considered the optimum. Factors such as weight, age, physical condition and the form of exercise are also considered. Lowering blood pressure is a common outcome and cholesterol levels frequently improve in this range.

Please see my response to a previous post (re: High cholesterol - was Profile); there are other factors beside exercise which influence the raising of HDL or lowering of LDL.

Based on the studies I've read, a healthy person should not be concerned about an aneurysm when gradually increasing exercise up to 90% of MHR. It would make good sense to have a complete medical check-up before exercising at that level, though.

Not that much is known about the more recently noted subfractions of lipids. It isn't clear if they reflect a risk factor, or even what the long term effects of high or low levels are. For some of these, normal limits have not yet been established. Until more comprehensive studies have been published in peer-review journals, it might be prudent not to give undue concern to many of these subfractions.