Recent research indicates that people with spinal cord injuries have an increased cardiovascular risk.  It has been suggested that heart disease is the primary cause of death in people with spinal cord injury.  People with a spinal cord injury are more at risk of coronary heart disease for three reasons:

•    They are more insulin resistant than the general population.
•    Due to muscle atrophy, there is an increase in body fat.
•    Due to mobility restrictions the capacity to perform cardiovascular exercise is often impaired.

Reducing the risk of heart disease is a long-term issue for people with spinal cord injury. However, there are several simple ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems immediately

Healthy Diet

A low fat, low cholesterol diet, with about 2/3 allocated to carbohydrates is suggested as the most beneficial eating plan to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Reduced alcohol consumption and the cessation of smoking are also known to diminish the danger of coronary heart disease.

Exercise
Bauman and Spungen have demonstrated that people with spinal cord injuries who were unable to keep fit were more likely to develop insulin resistance, potentially leading to diabetes and associated heath problems.

Evidently, exercise is an effective way to reduce cardiovascular risk. Traditionally, it was almost impossible for individuals with spinal cord injuries to attain a level of aerobic fitness through cardiovascular exercise.

However, there are now rapid and ongoing developments in exercise equipment for those with spinal cord injuries.  Using equipment such as FES Cycling technology is an effective way of maintaining a healthy heart and preventing the onset of coronary heart disease, as well improving joint mobility, increasing blood flow and relieving muscle spasticity.

Regular Contact with Health Professionals
Physical exercise should form part of the continuing management and care for spinal cord injured individual.   Regular evaluation of the individual’s cardiovascular system and the support and encouragement of exercise programmes is an important part of the care offered by health professionals.

Education
It is important that people with spinal cord injury are made aware of the potential cardiovascular risk.  It is more essential that individuals be offered education, guidance and support and every opportunity to take an active part in the reduction of long-term risk.  It is vital that doctors and other health professionals are regularly updated on the latest developments in coronary risk reduction, particularly progress in dietary science and advances in specialist exercise equipment.