WHY SHOULD I BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

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TweetWhy Should I Be Physically Active?


If your doctor has advised you to begin an activity program, you should follow that advice. People who don’t get enough physical activity are much more likely to develop heart disease and high blood pressure.

Vigorous physical activity can lower your risk of:

Heart disease and heart attack


High blood pressure


High cholesterol


If you haven’t been active and want to start exercising, first check with your doctor for a program that’s right for you. Once you start, you’ll find that exercise isn’t just good for your health — it’s also fun!


What else can physical activity do for me?

Physical activity should be enjoyable and can:


Reduce your chance of heart attack


Strengthen your heart, lungs, bones and muscles


Give you more energy and strength


Help control your weight and blood pressure


Help you handle stress


Help you sleep better


Help you look good


Help you feel upbeat



What kind of activities should I do?

To help your heart, activities should be constant and last long enough to increase the blood flow to the muscles. Start slowly and build up as your heart gets stronger. First, discuss exercise with your doctor or nurse. Then try:


Walking or hiking


Jogging


Bicycling


Swimming


Rowing


Walking on a treadmill


Stair climbing


Aerobic dancing


Cross-country skiing



How often should I exercise?


Work up to 30-60 minutes of exercise.


Make sure it’s regular — on most days of the week.


Try to spread it out over the week for best results. An every-other-day schedule works best.



What else can I do?


In addition to exercise, studies show that easy-to-do daily activities may benefit your heart. Also, making small changes in your lifestyle can make a big overall difference in your health. Here are some examples:


Take a walk in the neighborhood.


Get into gardening or yard work.


Take stairs instead of escalators and elevators.


Park farther from the store and walk through the parking lot.


Learn a new dance!



How can I learn more?


Talk to your doctor, nurse or health care professional. Or call your local American Heart Association at 1-800-242-8721.


If you have heart disease, members of your family also may be at higher risk. It’s very important for them to make changes now to lower their risk.



Do you have questions or comments for your doctor?

Take a few minutes to write your own questions for the next time you see your doctor. For example:


What’s the best type of exercise for me?


How much should I exercise?

[mick-G]

TweetNice read!

[mick-G]

TweetGood read!