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Exercise For Heart Health

You’ve heard it a million times – exercise is essential for good health, for weight loss or maintenance and for optimal mental health. An inactive lifestyle is one of the main reasons why people develop heart disease in the first place, so exercise is a critical component to maintaining a healthy heart! Regular aerobic exercise has many benefits in addition to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, including lowering cholesterol levels.

The risk for heart disease increases with age, with men at greater risk than women. The risk for men typically begins around the age of 45, while women seem to be protected up to the age of 55 due to the hormonal benefits associated with menopause.

When considering a heart-healthy exercise routine, it is important to keep in mind the following:

• Thirty minutes of moderate exercise is recommended everyday, or at least most days of the week. This can be broken down into three 10-minute intervals.
  
  
• Exercising with a friend helps you to maintain a regular schedule, makes exercise more “social” and can help sustain motivation.
  
  
• Varying your routine keeps your interest level elevated.
  
  
• You do not need to join a gym or invest in expensive equipment. Brisk walking, biking, swimming, skating, skiing, rowing, tennis and jogging all count as aerobic exercise.
  
  
• Remember to include a five-minute warm-up, (e.g., stretching exercises) before any aerobic activity and a five- to 10-minute cool down period following any aerobic exercise.
  
  
• Choose an activity that you enjoy, or learn a new one, to maintain interest in your heart-healthy program.
  
  
• Keep in mind that the best exercise is the one that makes you feel good – and is one that you are willing to repeat again and again on a regular basis.

Cardiovascular disease can be controlled through a healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s up to you to make the commitment and stick to it. Keep in mind that regular chiropractic check ups also boost your immune system and may help avoid or reduce some of the health conditions typically associated with aging!