Exercise makes the heart more resistant to stress and heart disease. It makes the heart work more efficiently. A healthy heart pumps a large amount of blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. It does this with fewer beats than a weak or unconditioned heart.
Walk briskly, jog, hike, cycle, swim, or do other aerobic exercise. Aerobic activities use large muscle groups for long periods of time. Aerobic exercise performed at moderate intensity makes the heart stronger. Hard, strenuous exercise is not needed to improve the health of the heart and lungs. Moderate and continuous exercise is.
An aerobic exercise program makes the heart more efficient at delivering oxygen to the body's cells. It helps blood pressure go down. Exercise lowers the risk for heart attack and heart disease. Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. (Children need at least 60 minutes a day.) Doing less than this will minimize your health benefits. Moderate aerobic exercise is generally defined as requiring about as much energy as walking 2 miles in 30 minutes.
Cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Too much of it in the blood can clog blood vessels. A blocked blood vessel supplying muscles of the heart can cause a heart attack and even death. Exercise lowers the cholesterol that clogs blood vessels.
Get a medical checkup before starting any exercise program. Beginners should work with a certified exercise leader. This ensures that a proper workout program is prescribed for their health condition. It is also important to learn how to exercise safely.
Choose activities that you enjoy, and that are readily accessible.
Last Reviewed: 2005
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIL File EXER4497.RF2 VRS# 7430 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved |
