February is national heart disease awareness month. This is also a good time to look at your own heart health and what you can do to ameliorate preexisting conditions and prevent any other cardiac problems. It’s no secret that cardiovascular exercise is good for your heart. Your heart is a muscle just like any other, the more it is exercised the stronger it will get. Even the smallest increase in exercise can make a big impact. Start easy with 30 minute walks a few days a week.
People who exercise cut their risk of heart disease in half compared to their non-active counterparts. Of course regular exercise is extremely beneficial for your body as a whole but there are specific benefits to your heart health. Any kind of activity burns calories, which leads to weight loss. By keeping your body at a healthy weight the easier it is on your heart to pump blood and oxygen throughout your body. This lowers your blood pressure by lessening the effort your heart makes in moving the resources around your body. It is very important to keep a healthy blood pressure and not to put any extra strain on your cardiac muscles. Cardiovascular exercise also increases good cholesterol (HDL) and decreases bad cholesterol (LDL), also making it easier for your heart to pump blood and further lowering your blood pressure.
Having a healthy blood pressure puts less strain on your heart and arteries. It takes a few weeks to start lowering your blood pressure so don’t give up too soon! Keeping your heart healthy is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Start slowly, maybe with an exercise partner and challenge each other. Any step towards a healthier lifestyle is a step in the right direction!
