Do doctors recommend specific exercises? The following are some of the best types of exercise for the heart, according to a cardiologist.
When it comes to your heart health, exercising is key to maintaining it in tip-top shape. While there are various exercises that you can do, such as walking, running, and even dancing, if your goal is to improve your heart health, there are three key exercises you need to keep in mind – at least to Michael Weinrauch, MD, a New Jersey-based cardiologist.
“I want to stress that even a small amount of regular exercise is beneficial, such as walking. That said, the more you can round out your workout, the better,” says Weinrauch. The following are what Weinrauch calls the trifecta of heart-friendly workouts.
Aerobic Exercises
“For heart health, the goal is to get you breathing harder, and your heart beating faster, otherwise known as aerobic activity,” says Weinrauch. “Combining moderate and vigorous intensities of physical activity is the best way to achieve this. Think: walking with running and jogging.”
In addition to making your heart stronger and lowering your risk of heart disease, aerobic (or cardio) exercises can also help improve your cognitive function. Other benefits of aerobic activity include activating your immune system and improving your mood.
Resistance Training
According to guidelines from the U.S. government, all adults should include resistance (or strength) training in their workout program – at least two days per week. Moreover, Weinrauch emphasizes that strength training is particularly important for older adults.
“When sustained over several years, resistance training leads to an increase in lean muscle mass and a decrease in age-related fat deposition. It has also been shown to lower blood pressure,” adds Weinrauch. You can experience strength-training benefits whether you do bodyweight exercises or use a pair of dumbbells.
Stretching
When it comes to stretching exercises, the focus is on your flexibility and mobility. In fact, flexibility refers to your muscles’ ability to stretch, while mobility refers to a joint and its full range of motion.
“Stretching, flexibility, and balance exercises likely have no direct benefit on cardiovascular health, but they help prevent injuries in runners and help prevent falls and maintain mobility in older individuals,” explains Weinrauch.
Exercising and Your Heart
As you focus on these three types of exercising, your heart’s health should get a good boost. If you haven’t exercised in a while, you can start at your own pace and gradually increase time and intensity. What matters is that you do it.
In addition to working out, you can give your heart health an extra boost by taking supplements like Circulation Boost. Its ingredients promote healthy circulation, energy levels, blood pressure, and more. Give your heart health the support it deserves by working out and taking Circulation Boost.