Introduction

Exercise entails physical activity and raising the heart rate above resting levels. Maintaining one’s physical and emotional well-being is important, therefore, daily exercise remains an integral part of preventing several illnesses and other health problems regardless of intensity.

Your heart is the engine that drives your body. It keeps you alive and working by supplying each cell with blood, oxygen, and nutrients. However, heart disease continues to rank among the world’s leading causes of death, including in Nigeria where it is the 5th leading cause of death.

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The good news is that regular exercise, which is completely within your control, is one of the best methods to maintain heart health. At Wellahealth, we remain committed to helping Nigerians live longer, healthier lives, and this article discusses the types of exercise and benefits of exercise for heart health.

Types Of Exercise For Heart Health

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• Aerobic exercise: Aerobics include activities like walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, and dancing that increase your heart rate and respiratory rate.
• Flexibility exercises: The most common flexibility exercise known is Yoga, which can be done at home and in the gym. These exercises entail stretching and low-intensity movement that lowers the chance of injury and helps maintain healthy joints.
• Strength training: Strength training involves using body weight and equipment in moderate-intensity movement that helps increase muscular mass, lower body fat and speed up metabolism.

Benefits of Exercise On Heart Health

●     Lowers High Blood Pressure

One of the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke is high blood pressure or hypertension. Frequent exercise strengthens and increases the efficiency of the heart by improving blood circulation. If you have hypertension, regular exercise will cause your blood pressure to drop because a stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort, lessening the strain on your arteries. Exercises that help maintain healthy blood pressure levels include swimming, cycling, jogging, and walking.

●     Lowers the Chance of Heart Disease

The potential of regular exercise to reduce the risk of heart disease is among its most important benefits. Low to moderate physical exercise has been reported to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL; bad cholesterol), increase “good” cholesterol (HDL), and aid in weight control. When combined, these modifications lessen the accumulation of plaque in your arteries, reducing the chance of you coming down with stroke, coronary artery disease, and heart attack.

●     Enhances Oxygen Flow and Circulation

Your heart rate rises when you run, swim, or dance, among other strenuous activities. This ensures that oxygen-rich blood efficiently reaches every region of the body by strengthening the heart muscle and enhancing circulation. Improved circulation lowers the danger of clot formation and maintains the health and elasticity of blood vessels, which lowers the risk of cardiac problems.

●     Assists in Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Being overweight increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes by placing additional strain on the heart. Frequent exercise promotes weight loss, calorie burning, and a healthy body mass index (BMI). You may greatly lessen the load on your heart and facilitate appropriate function by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight through exercise.

●     Improves Mood and Decreases Stress

Heart health and mental health are intimately related. Exercise on a regular basis lowers the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which over time can damage your heart. Endorphins, your body’s natural mood enhancers, are produced when you exercise, and they not only make you feel happy but also less stressed, anxious, and depressed. The World Health Organization recommends exercise as a means of reducing stress thereby improving physical and heart health.

●     Boosts Lifespan

A study by the National Institute of Health reports that mortality is decreased by about 30% – 35% in physically active as compared to inactive subjects. That is, people who regularly exercise have longer, healthier lives, according to numerous studies. It has been found that exercise lowers the chance of dying young from heart disease and other long-term conditions. You can extend your life and enhance the quality of those years by including even modest amounts of physical activity into your daily routine.

Conclusion

One of the most effective ways to safeguard your heart and enhance your general health is through exercise. Walking, cycling, swimming, or any other type of physical activity, regular exercise improves circulation, strengthens the heart, and lowers the risk of heart disease. Today, put your heart first by taking charge of your health and exercising frequently.

Wellahealth’s goal is to support you in leading a healthy life and keeping your heart healthy. Preventive care and cardiovascular screenings are covered by our reasonably priced health plans to keep your heart healthy. Contact us to learn more about our healthcare plans and how we can help you on your path to improved heart health.

Article written by Dr. Ifeoma M. Uduh (BDS)
Edited by Dr. John Afam-Osemene (MBBS, DA)