St. Francis Hospital Shares Heart-healthy Tips For Long Island Marathon Runners

LongIsland.com

With the 2015 Long Island Marathon just around the corner - marathon partner St. Francis Hospital – The Heart Center, in Roslyn, is providing healthy running tips to all participants - whatever their pace - ...

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Roslyn, NY - May 1st, 2015 - Now that the weather is warming up and the snow has finally melted, runners are returning to the outdoors. With the 2015 Long Island Marathon just around the corner - marathon partner St. Francis Hospital – The Heart Center, in Roslyn, is providing healthy running tips to all participants - whatever their pace - to stay heart-healthy.

Held Saturday May 2nd and Sunday May 3rd the Long Island Marathon includes activities for  1-milers, 5-K runners, half-marathon and 10-K, and anyone and everyone in between. No matter what the experience or athletic ability, everyone is encouraged to participate in this annual Long Island tradition.

Thomas Pappas, M.D., Director, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®, recommends, “Make running part of your life. Enjoy it!”

Long Island Marathon Heart Healthy Tips

  • Make sure to warm up and stretch at least 5-10 minutes before each run
  • Cool down for 5 minutes with lower-level aerobic exercise after your run to minimize muscle cramps and drops in blood pressure
  • Hydrate during and after exercise

Preparing for Your Next Run

  • Aim for running 75 minutes per week (which is considered vigorous intensity cardiovascular exercise)
  • If you can’t run, aim for 150 minutes per week of brisk walking (which is considered moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise)
  • Add resistance training (weights, exercise bands, or machines) at least twice per week to balance your fitness level
  • If you have diabetes, hypertension, or other risk factors for heart disease, speak with your healthcare provider about a possible stress test before beginning a running program

About St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® is New York State’s only specialty designated cardiac center and a nationally recognized leader in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiac disease. St. Francis is ranked one of the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report and has earned the prestigious Magnet designation for nursing excellence. A leader in cardiovascular care for more than 50 years, St. Francis Hospital also offers an outstanding program in vascular, prostate, ear-nose-throat (ENT), abdominal, oncologic, gastrointestinal, and orthopedic surgery. St. Francis is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHSLI). Contact us at 1.888.HEART.NY or visit us at www.stfrancisheartcenter.com.