Have you ever thought about the importance of exercise for your heart? Perhaps, you have wondered why doctors recommend physical activity so much. The leading cause of death in the nation for men and women is cardiovascular (heart) disease. However, you may take measures to lessen your risk of having heart disease. Exercise is one of these strategies since it helps maintain a healthy lifestyle, improves heart health, and can help reverse some of the risk factors for heart disease.
How does exercise help?
Exercise improves the efficiency of the cardiac muscle. Your muscles assist in circulating blood throughout the body when you exercise, relieving some of the tension and effort from the heart. Over time, the heart gets more robust, and the effort required to pump blood decreases.
As you start to exercise, your heart will beat more quickly, and your circulation will increase, which will speed up the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to your muscles. The heart will try to provide the growing demand for blood by increasing the rate at which it beats and the force with which it contracts. Your heart will beat more frequently and contract more strongly with each beat, allowing it to circulate more blood throughout the body and increase its oxygen supply.
Cardiovascular advantages to exercise
A decrease in blood pressure
A healthy heart can work more effectively because it pumps more blood with each beat. As a result, the heart and its surrounding arteries experience less strain, potentially lowering blood pressure. Cardiovascular activity may help reduce your blood pressure if it is high.
Enhance blood flow
Regular cardio-based exercise helps the heart improve blood flow in the tiny veins nearby, where fatty deposit blockages can accumulate over time. Improved blood flow in these locations may reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Reduced cholesterol
Numerous studies demonstrate the connection between physical activity and positive changes in cholesterol, including an increase in good HDL cholesterol and a potential 10% reduction in LDL cholesterol.
Reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
According to studies, regular exercise can cut a person’s risk of coronary heart disease by up to 21% for men and 29% for women. Additionally, active people have a 20% lower risk of stroke. Regular exercise also lowers the chance of developing type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetes by maintaining blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other heart arrhythmias are less common
A typical cardiac rhythm disorder, AFib increases the risk of a blood clot-related stroke by five times. According to a study published in a journal last year, the incidence of AFib was reduced by half in individuals who routinely exercised using a short-term, high-intensity interval training plan.
The most crucial thing is to begin exercising. In the scientific literature, there is growing evidence that physical exercise and fitness significantly impact cardiovascular health. Everyone has to start somewhere, even if physical activity hasn’t always been a part of your routine. Aerobic exercises that are good for your heart include walking, running, and swimming. Engage in gentle activities like walking for at least 30 minutes. Alternately, engage in moderate exercises, like cycling or running, for at least 30 minutes every day of the week.
