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Every year, American Heart Month serves as a crucial, important reminder for us to keep our hearts healthy. This vital organ not only pumps blood and oxygen through our body but also carries us through the ups and downs of each moment in our lives.
However, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, making it essential to take proactive steps toward maintaining a healthy heart. One of the most effective ways to protect your heart? Staying active.
Why Staying Active Matters for Heart Health
Regular, consistent activity is the foundation of heart health, because exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves blood circulation, and manages risk factors like high blood pressure.
Here’s how staying active benefits your heart:
- Improved Cardiovascular Function: Exercise enhances the efficiency of your heart, allowing it to pump blood more effectively. Over time, this reduces the strain on your heart and lowers your resting heart rate.
- Reduced Risk of Heart Disease: Regular activity helps reduce harmful LDL cholesterol levels, increase good HDL cholesterol, and regulate blood pressure. These factors significantly decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is critical for heart health. Physical activity burns calories and builds muscle, helping you manage your weight more effectively.
- Stress Reduction: Stress is a known contributor to heart disease. Exercise releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and reduce stress, indirectly supporting your heart health.
- Blood Sugar Control: Regular activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps regulate blood sugar levels, lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for heart disease.
Five Easy Ways to Stay Active
Incorporating physical activity into your routine doesn’t have to mean running marathons or spending hours at the gym. Here are some accessible and enjoyable ways to get moving:
- Walking: A brisk 30-minute walk each day can make a significant difference. It's simple, low-impact, and requires no special equipment.
- Dancing: Turn up your favorite playlist and dance like no one’s watching! It’s a fun way to get your heart rate up.
- Yoga or Pilates: These practices improve flexibility, reduce stress, and provide a moderate workout for your muscles.
- Sports and Recreational Activities: Join a local soccer league, play tennis with a friend, or try swimming.
- Strength Training: With your doctor’s approval, you can incorporate weightlifting or bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats into your routine to build muscle and support your heart.
Looking at the Months Ahead
This February is the perfect time to set some new heart healthy goals, so find activities you enjoy and celebrate the small wins, so you can stay active all year around. By committing to regular exercise, you’re investing in a healthier, happier future.
Visit usfhp.net or call 1-800-241-4848 for more information on our healthcare plans or assistance scheduling a one-on-one appointment.