The best gift that you can gift your heart is physical activity. Regular exercise decreases cardiovascular mortality and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in America. Pairing regular exercise with a healthy balanced diet, not smoking, and maintaining a normal weight is a significant protection strategy against cardiovascular diseases. Certainly, for heart conditions, regular exercise can be as powerful as medication. Below are some cardiovascular benefits of exercise.
Lowering blood pressure
A healthy heart pumps out more blood with every bit, enabling it to work more efficiently. This reduces the stress on the heart and the arteries, potentially lowering blood pressure. For individuals with high blood pressure, cardiovascular exercise can help lower it. Even if you do not suffer from high blood pressure, cardiovascular exercise can help prevent it from rising with age.
Improving blood flow
Regular cardiovascular exercise enables the heart to attain improved blood flow even into the smallest vessels around it. It is in these vessels that blockages of fatty deposits build over time. With a proper circulation in these areas, the risk of heart attack is minimized or prevented. Scientific evidence shows that regular exercise makes the body develop more physical connections between these small blood vessels. This implies that blood has numerous ways to travel to its destination.
Improving workout efficiency
As one starts a new workout program that incorporates cardio activity, it may take a while for the body to adjust to the faster pace. However, the more routine the exercise becomes, the quicker the body starts pulling the much-needed oxygen from the blood during a workout. As a result, regular exercises build stronger hearts that perform better under stress. The heart is also less winded during the workout sessions. Besides, regular cardio allows the body to recover quickly after exercise.
Lowering cholesterol
Many studies show that regular exercise is directly linked to health improvements in cholesterol levels. It increases the amount of healthy, “good” HDL cholesterol and lowers the bad LDL cholesterol. Most research shows that aerobic exercises are the best to lower cholesterol levels. So, opt for a walk, dance, jog, biking, swimming, and all the cardio machines at the gym.
Decreasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke
Research shows that regular exercise reduces cardiovascular disease risk by as much as 21% for men and 29% for women. Besides, active individuals have a 20% less chance of developing a stroke. Regular exercise also keeps the blood sugar levels in a healthy range, lowering prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Reducing the incidence of heart arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation (AFib)
AFib is a common heart rhythm problem with a five-fold increased risk of stroke caused by a blood clot. Researchers reported that a strategy of exercise, diet, and weight loss resulted in reduced rates of AFib and less severe ailments. The American Heart Association also reported that patients who exercised regularly with a short-term, high-intensity interval training program would reduce the risk of AFib in half.
Other benefits of cardiovascular exercise
