In the UK it is recommended that adults partake in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week plus two sessions of resistance training.
Over 6 in 10 adults meet this guideline, if one of these is not you, then why not? Your heart is a muscle too! This muscular organ also needs to be worked out and increasing the amount of physical activity you do is one of the best things for your heart health. Here we share some benefits of physical activity:
What is physical activity?
Physical activity is any form of movement produced by your muscles that uses energy. A few examples include walking, running, dancing, swimming, and gardening.
Heart health benefits
Partaking in physical activity strengthens your heart muscle and decreases your blood pressure. Regular physical activity can improve your blood sugar control and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a major cardiovascular risk factor. Changes in your cholesterol levels will become apparent, with your LDL (bad – cholesterol) levels becoming lower and HDL (good cholesterol) levels rising.
Ultimately, physical activity is essential for a healthy heart. It strengthens your heart, reduces your chances of developing heart diseases and increases your lifespan.
Other health benefit
Physical activity benefits both your physical and mental health. If these are in good health, it is likely that your heart is too. Partaking in regular physical activity will help you to build cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and improve your flexibility and balance. You may find that you have more energy after carrying out physical activity due to the rise in your endorphins, this also helps to improve your mood. Other benefits include improvements in your sleep quality and duration, improvements in anxiety and depression as well as a reduction in the amount of stress hormones in your body.
These additional health benefits all directly or indirectly help your heart too.
Sign up to receive our monthly Healthy Tip emails directly to your inbox
Discover ways to look after you heart
Explore a time-efficient HIIT workout for heart heath that is suitable for all fitness levels, including beginners.
In this month’s Heart Research UK’s Healthy Tip, Barney Hughes, Healthy Heart Coach, explains the relationship between your mind and your heart, and how taking care of one can, in turn, take care of the other.
Traditional “eat less, move more” advice often fails people long-term, so it’s no wonder so many people are turning to medications to achieve weight-loss goals.
In this month’s Healthy Tip, Luca, Healthy Heart Coach at Heart Research UK, explains why strengthening your glutes is about much more than aesthetics, and how it can help protect your heart.
Explore our collection of heart healthy recipes
Warm, fluffy Norwegian classic cinnamon rolls made with greek yoghurt and a quick, no-yeast dough.
Omega-3 rich teriyaki salmon protein bowl with brown rice, vegetables and sesame.
A delicious hybrid between porridge and scrambled eggs designed to support heart health.
A delicious, smoky hummus bowl topped with tender-crisp roasted vegetables.