Exercise for Healthy Heart

By: John Lester
10/26/2010 05:20 PM ET

Exercise healthy heart and top risk factors. An inactive healthy lifestyle is one of the top risk factors for heart disease, but exercise can change all that. It’s a risk factor that you can do something about that involves exercise and changing to a healthy diet.

Before starting a new routine, talk to your doctor about about medication changes. New medications can greatly affect your response to exercise and your doctor can tell you if your normal routine is still safe. Make sure that lifting or pushing heavy objects and chores such as raking, shoveling, mowing, or scrubbing aren’t off limits.

Chores around the house can be tiring for some people so make sure you only do what you are able to do without getting tired. Always get the doctor’s approval before you lift weights or job. One great way to strengthen your heart is do to stretching.

Stretching the arms and legs before and after exercising helps prepare the muscles for activity and helps prevent injury and muscle strain. Regular stretching also increases your range of motion and flexibility. It also increases healthy circulation to your heart, although it’s not considered an exercise.

Steady physical activity using large muscle groups will improve oxygen. This type of exercise strengthens the heart and lungs. This is why the aerobic exercise has the most benefits for your heart. Over time, aerobic exercise can help decrease your blood pressure at rest and improve your breathing.