Why Staying Active Matters
Here are just a few of the many ways regular physical activity can enhance your heart health:
- Reduce Heart Disease Risk: Inactive people are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those who stay active. Exercise helps reduce the buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries and keeps your heart functioning smoothly.
- Lower Blood Pressure: Regular physical activity can help manage and reduce your blood pressure, lowering your risk of stroke and heart attack.
- Boost Good Cholesterol: Exercise can increase your levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, which works to remove bad cholesterol from your bloodstream, protecting you against heart disease.
- Strengthen Your Heart Muscle: Aerobic activities like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming get your heart pumping and improve its efficiency, making it stronger over time.
- Control Weight and Reduce Stress: Maintaining a healthy weight is key to good heart health, and exercise helps you achieve this while also reducing stress and anxiety—two factors that can impact your heart negatively.
Small Steps, Big Impact
You don’t need to overhaul your life to see a difference. Start small:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Park further away and walk to your destination.
- Try fun activities like dancing or gardening.
Why Wait?
Your heart works tirelessly for you every single day. Whether you’re maintaining your routine or starting fresh, staying active is one of the best ways to protect and strengthen it.
Stay active, stay healthy!
The Nepean Cardiology Team
