An inactive lifestyle is a big risk factor for heart disease. Fortunately, this risk factor is a variable you can do something about. Exercising your heart means exercising your body.
The following tips will help improve your heart health and overall well being.
Before beginning any exercise program, be sure to consult with your physician, especially if you are on heart medications or have any restrictions due to health issues. Your doctor will be happy to help construct a healthy heart exercise program suitable for you.
Warm Up
Warm-up exercises help your heart and muscles adjust form a resting state to an exercise state. Warming up will gradually increase your heart rate, thus reduce the stress on your heart and muscles. Good stretching exercises for warming up include shoulder rolls, knee lifts, overhead reaches and light walking.
More: 4 Warm-Ups for a Better Workout
Aerobic Conditioning
The bulk of your healthy heart routine will be spent doing aerobic activity. Physical activity that increases your heart rate should be done for at least 30 minutes a day. Swimming, brisk walking and low impact aerobics are all good standbys.
More: Aerobic Training is a Key to Improve Fitness
If aerobics aren't your thing, don't rule out exercise. Housework, yard work and other activities that you can build into your daily routine are all effective at increasing your heart rate and improving heart health.
Cool Down
Cooling down from exercise gradually brings your heart rate down and helps your body recover. Bring the intensity of your exercise down a few notches and include some more stretching in this phase.
More: Importance of Cool Down
Whether you practice a structured healthy heart exercise program or you consistently add physical activity into your daily routine, remember that it all adds up. And a healthy heart is a happy heart.
More: 8 Tips for Long-Term Heart Health
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