Exercise Does the Heart Good

Boy oh boy! We got walloped yesterday with Winter Storm Niko here in the Northeast. I spent four hours shoveling last night. I'm sore in places I forgot existed. But I'm glad for that soreness. Why? Because it was good exercise, working my muscles and my heart. 

February is American Heart Month, first declared by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

With February being American Heart Month, we are focusing on heart healthy foods and habits. Today, we are talking about exercise. 

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the 1st and 5th leading causes of death in America respectively. These are

tragic statistics. What can we do to change them? One way is through exercise.

Exercise is any physical activity that gets your body moving and buring calories. Aerobic exercise, in particular, gets your heart rate up and contributes to greater cardiovascular health. Examples of aerobic exercise include running, walking, climbing stairs, swimming, biking, hiking etc. For a path to optimum heart health, the American Heart Association suggests 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes a week of high intensity aerobic exerise. These break down to 30 minutes 5 days a week or 25 minutes 3 days a week of moderate intensity or high intensity aerobic exercise respectively. If you are seeking to lower your cholesterol or blood pressure, the AHA recommends 40 minutes of moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week. Combine these with moderate to high intensity strength and stretching exercises to optimize cardio health and overall flexibility and stamina. 

The point: exercise, move, enjoy and get healthy!

Source: "American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults", American Heart Association, www.heart.com