Exercise Your Way to a Stronger Heart | AFC Urgent Care Memphis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Although there are risk factors of heart disease that cannot be changed, such as your family medical history and your age, there are risk factors that you can control.

During American Heart Month this February, our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis wants to share some helpful info about how exercise can play a vital role in lowering your risk of heart disease now and in the future.

Walk This Way to Better Heart Health

There are a number of factors that can help you to better your heart health, including getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night and eating a heart-healthy diet. However, along with these aforementioned steps, exercise can also play a vital role in your heart health.

When you live a sedentary lifestyle, you put yourself at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes—all of which can increase your risk of heart disease.

By getting at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, you can help to decrease your chances of experiencing heart disease. The best part is that you don’t even have to get all those minutes in at one time!

Breaking it up into two 15-minute segments or three 10-minute segments can still give you the benefit of a 30-minute workout, which can help to decrease your risk of heart disease now and in the future.

Good Exercises for Heart Health

While any exercise is good exercise, there are certain aerobic exercises that can help to kick your heart health up a notch, including:

  • Cardio machines
  • Spinning
  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Walking
  • Hiking
  • Aerobics classes
  • Dancing
  • Cross country skiing
  • Kickboxing

But if the activity you love isn’t on the list above, don’t worry! The best exercise is the one you’ll perform on a regular basis. Find an activity that gets your heart pumping and that you actually enjoy, then schedule in workouts like appointments. And don’t cancel on yourself.

Wondering where your heart health stands? Visit our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis today for a checkup and blood work—no appointment is necessary.