Exercise Improves Heart Health

Don’t forget to exercise your heart muscle!  The heart pumps approximately 5 quarts of blood throughout your body every minute!  As with all the other muscles in your body - exercise will help the heart become stronger and more efficient.  This means the heart is able to pump more blood throughout the body with each beat!   

Sedentary individuals are at a higher risk for heart disease as well as other chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension).  The hardest part to changing one’s lifestyle is getting started.  By simply moving more you can improve your heart health as well as add years to your life!  

You can exercise your heart by performing aerobic activity.  Aerobic means “with oxygen.”  To improve the functioning of your heart you must exercise the heart muscle more than it’s accustomed.  In aerobic exercise you should be able to carry on a conversation without being breathless, but needing to take a breath after a few words.  Walking/hiking is probably the easiest form of exercise.  All you need is a good pair of shoes and sunscreen.  You will not only improve your heart health but may notice increased mental clarity, improved mood, increased endurance, sleep better, weight loss, reduced stress and improved self-esteem. 

 

You CAN start experiencing these benefits by moving more starting today!!!