Exercise strengthens the heart.
Heart doctors recommend exercise for their patients, even those who have had heart attacks.
Some of the benefits of exercise: (1) cuts the risks of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) and may slash the risk of dying from it in half, (2) prevents or reverses high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' cholesterol), or low HDL (the 'good' cholesterol), obesity, and stress, (3) improves heart's pumping ability, and (4) even benefits you if you already have CHD.
But remember before starting an exercise plan always consult with your doctor.
HDL cholesterol is like a vacuum cleaner traveling through the circulatory system sucking up cholesterol and transporting it back to the liver for excretion.
LDL cholesterol is used to transport cholesterol from the liver to the cells for use and storage.
In a healthy heart system, these two are in balance.
But when a person has a sedentary lifestyle like sitting-on-the-couch-watching-TV coupled with eating a lot of saturated fat, the supply of LDL cholesterol can be larger than the amount removed by the HDL particles.
In this case, surplus cholesterol roams in the bloodstream and is available to damage artery walls and promote CHD and atherosclerosis.
Consistent moderate exercise lowers blood LDL levels and at the same time raises blood HDL levels removing damaging cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Aerobic exercise, which employs large muscle groups in a rhythmic, repetitive fashion for prolonged periods of time, has long been considered the best type of exercise for the heart.
Walking is an easy exercise to perform because you don't need any special clothes or equipment, and it can be done almost anywhere.
Start with short walks and always walk at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Many people use the 'talk test' - if you can walk and maintain a conversation you are walking at an appropriate speed.
As your conditioning improves you will notice that you can walk faster and further.
In inclement weather, many walkers go to the enclosed shopping malls before store opening hours.
There they can proceed at their own pace in a climate-controlled atmosphere.
Here are some pointers:Invest in a good pair of shoes.
Consider choosing a partner to walk with.
Wear lighter clothes than normal - exercise will warm you up.
Buy a good book on walking it will prove helpful.
Stretch before you walk.
And develop a good walking technique Consistent walking will make you feel better and sleep better; it will promote your heart health.
Heart doctors recommend exercise for their patients, even those who have had heart attacks.
Some of the benefits of exercise: (1) cuts the risks of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) and may slash the risk of dying from it in half, (2) prevents or reverses high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' cholesterol), or low HDL (the 'good' cholesterol), obesity, and stress, (3) improves heart's pumping ability, and (4) even benefits you if you already have CHD.
But remember before starting an exercise plan always consult with your doctor.
HDL cholesterol is like a vacuum cleaner traveling through the circulatory system sucking up cholesterol and transporting it back to the liver for excretion.
LDL cholesterol is used to transport cholesterol from the liver to the cells for use and storage.
In a healthy heart system, these two are in balance.
But when a person has a sedentary lifestyle like sitting-on-the-couch-watching-TV coupled with eating a lot of saturated fat, the supply of LDL cholesterol can be larger than the amount removed by the HDL particles.
In this case, surplus cholesterol roams in the bloodstream and is available to damage artery walls and promote CHD and atherosclerosis.
Consistent moderate exercise lowers blood LDL levels and at the same time raises blood HDL levels removing damaging cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Aerobic exercise, which employs large muscle groups in a rhythmic, repetitive fashion for prolonged periods of time, has long been considered the best type of exercise for the heart.
Walking is an easy exercise to perform because you don't need any special clothes or equipment, and it can be done almost anywhere.
Start with short walks and always walk at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Many people use the 'talk test' - if you can walk and maintain a conversation you are walking at an appropriate speed.
As your conditioning improves you will notice that you can walk faster and further.
In inclement weather, many walkers go to the enclosed shopping malls before store opening hours.
There they can proceed at their own pace in a climate-controlled atmosphere.
Here are some pointers:Invest in a good pair of shoes.
Consider choosing a partner to walk with.
Wear lighter clothes than normal - exercise will warm you up.
Buy a good book on walking it will prove helpful.
Stretch before you walk.
And develop a good walking technique Consistent walking will make you feel better and sleep better; it will promote your heart health.
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