New Year, New You!
It’s 2016! Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to get fit and healthy?
Being physically active helps prevent heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. To improve overall cardiovascular health, AHA suggests at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week doesn’t sound too bad, does it? You will also experience benefits if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10 to 15 minutes per day.
For people who want to lower their blood pressure or cholesterol, AHA recommends 40 minutes of aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity 3 to 4 times a week to lower the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
“Building physical activity back into our daily lives is one of the great public health challenges of this century,” said Russell Pate, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Exercise at the University of South Carolina. “Our bodies were designed to be physically active, and they don’t do well with long-term exposure to sedentary living. Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”
Physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burn calories.
Physical activity does more for you than just prevent heart disease and stroke. It also boosts mental wellness, physical wellness, and prolongs your optimal health. Physical activity can have other health benefits, such as:
- boosts energy levels
- helps manage and relieve stress
- releases tension
- improves self-image
- increases muscle strength
The simplest change you can make to improve your heart health is to start walking. It’s enjoyable, free, easy, social and great exercise. You know what else makes you move your body and burn calories? Doing compressions during your CPR class with our instructors!
