Cardiovascular exercise, also known as aerobic exercise, is any type of physical activity that gets your heart rate up and increases blood flow throughout your body. This type of exercise is not only great for weight loss and overall fitness, but it’s also critical for heart health.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular exercise can help reduce your risk of heart disease by improving your cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. It’s also been shown to improve heart function, increase blood flow to the heart, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
So, what types of exercises count as cardiovascular exercise? Any activity that gets your heart rate up and keeps it elevated for an extended period of time. Walking, running, cycling, swimming, and dancing are all great examples. Even household chores like cleaning and yard work can be considered cardiovascular exercise if they get your heart rate up.
To get the most health benefits from cardiovascular exercise, it’s recommended that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. That breaks down to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, five days a week or 25 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, three days a week.
If you’re just starting with cardiovascular exercise, it’s essential to start slowly and gradually build up your endurance. Walking is an excellent low-impact exercise option that’s easy to do and can be done almost anywhere. As you build up your fitness level, you can start adding in more intense activities like running, HIIT workouts, or cycling.
It’s also important to choose activities that you enjoy, as this will make it more likely that you’ll stick with your exercise routine long-term. Joining a group fitness class or finding a workout buddy can be great ways to stay motivated and make exercise more fun.
In conclusion, cardiovascular exercise is a critical component of heart health. By incorporating aerobic exercise into your regular routine, you can improve your heart function, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve your overall health and fitness. So, lace-up your sneakers, grab a water bottle, and get moving to give your heart the exercise it needs to stay healthy.
