Physical activity and exercise can be a great way to give your heart the care it deserves. By learning about the ways exercise benefits your heart, you may feel motivated to get moving more often.

Here are some benefits to keep in mind:

Exercise lowers blood pressure:
Regular exercise has been shown to work like a medication that can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, both at rest and during exercise. This is important because lowering high blood pressure can help prevent heart disease.

Exercise helps strengthen muscles:
A combination of aerobic exercise and strength training is considered best for heart health. By doing these exercises, you can improve your muscles' ability to draw oxygen from your blood, reducing the need for your heart to work harder to pump more blood to your muscles.

Exercise can help you quit smoking:
Many smokers find that it becomes easier to quit smoking as they become more fit. Additionally, people who are active in are less likely to start smoking.

Exercise can help prevent diabetes:
Regular aerobic exercise combined with strength training can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by over 50%. This is because exercise allows your muscles to better process glycogen, a fuel for energy which contributes to better blood sugar management.

Exercise helps reduce stress:
While stress hormones can put an extra burden on your heart, exercise can help you relax and ease stress. Whether you prefer aerobic exercise, resistance training, or flexibility-focused activities like yoga, all types of exercise can be helpful.

Exercise reduces inflammation:
Regular exercise can help reduce chronic inflammation as your body adapts to the challenge of exercise. This is important because it can help reduce the adverse effects of many diseases related to inflammation and prevent further disease.