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Whether you are completely healthy or have had a heart attack or surgery in the past, exercise is an important part of reducing your risk of further damage and maintaining your overall health. Although your heart doctor will discuss specific exercises and recommendations for your needs, here’s what you should know about staying active. 

How Does Exercise Benefit Your Heart?

The human heart is a muscle, and, like any muscle, it needs exercise to stay strong and work as it should. Working out helps increase the blood flow in the vessels around the heart, reducing the risk of artery clogs that lead to heart attacks.

Also, exercise helps your heart become more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. The stronger your heart, the more blood it can pump out with each heartbeat, meaning that it can beat slower and reduce your blood pressure. Exercise also helps lower the amount of artery-clogging bad cholesterol in your blood while increasing the levels of good cholesterol. 

Finally, when you exercise, your tissues become more efficient at pulling oxygen from your blood, so your heart won’t need to work as hard.

What Are the Best Exercises for Your Heart?

heart doctorThe good news is that heart-healthy exercise doesn’t require you to become an athlete or spend hours in the gym daily. Heart doctors note that even simple exercises like a brisk 30-minute walk can actually make a significant difference in your heart-health.

The ideal exercise plan involves a mix of cardio, stretching, and strength training. Cardio includes any activity that causes your heart and breathing rate to increase. Walking, jogging, biking, or swimming are good choices.

Stretching before and after your cardio workouts will increase flexibility, while strength training with light weights or doing yoga two to three times a week will build your muscles and endurance. 

How to Make Exercise a Bigger Part of Your Life

Because your heart doctor will likely recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, you’ll need to find ways to make it a habit. Work out at the same time each day, and build up to a 30-minute workout. If you feel any pain or discomfort, stop immediately and call your doctor. Mix up your routine, as well; doing the same exercises every day will lead to boredom and make it harder to stick to your workouts. 

 

For advanced, compassionate cardiac care in Bergen County, NJ, turn to DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, MD, PA. With more than 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating patients with a range of cardiac conditions, they provide the exceptional care you need to keep your heart healthy. For an appointment, call (201) 845-3535. Visit their website to learn more. 

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