If you want to maintain a great, healthy lifestyle, you need to focus on your heart. It’s one of the most important organs in your body. In fact, without it, you would not be reading this. With that said, you want to do everything in your power to keep it strong. Luckily for you, with some perseverance, you can strengthen your heart and it will go a long way. This includes at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. There are certain exercises that benefit your heart more than others. Brookhaven Heart has listed the different exercises you can add to your weekly routine to improve your overall health.
Swimming
Although swimming may be an activity you reserve for those hot summer vacation days, you should consider adding it to your regular workout routine. Take a water aerobics class or swim a couple of laps. Not only is this beneficial for your body, but it will strengthen your heart too. Swimming helps your heat get bigger, which makes it more efficient in pumping. This results in better blood flow throughout your body. Did you know that 30 minutes of swimming a day can reduce coronary heart disease in women by 30 to 40 percent?
Cycling
Hop on a bike instead of using your car whenever you can. Or, set time aside in your week to do some cycling. This exercise stimulates and improves your heart, lungs, and circulation, and reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Yoga
Certain types of yoga, such as Ashtanga, get your heart rate up, while still providing the calm that will lower your blood pressure. In fact, yoga’s clearest benefit to the heart is the ability to relax your mind and body. Emotional stress can negatively impact your physical health, increasing your blood pressure and narrowing your arteries. With yoga, you are giving your body and mind an outlet from this stress.
Weight Training
When you focus on other muscles in your body, you are strengthening your heart. You burn fat and build muscle mass when you weight train. The most effective weight training happens when you use your own weight. This includes push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and squats. Focus on these exercises and you will strengthen your heart.
Walking
This is the easiest exercise and one of the best for a healthy heart. Do you know what’s even better than walking? Speed walking. This will get your heart rate up. It’s also easier on your joints than other types of exercises too. Walking can easily be fit into your schedule and you can tailor it so that it is even more enjoyable. Take a short walk on your lunch break, do a couple of laps in the office while you grab some water, and take long walks on your weekends. You can listen to music or walk with a friend.
Brookhaven Heart Is Here For You
To learn more about improving your heart’s health or to discuss any concerns, make an appointment with our cardiologists at Brookhaven Heart. We provide the best care in Shirley, New York, and you can rest assured that you are in great hands.
