10 Workouts That Are Good For People With Heart Conditions
There is a myth that working out and exercising isn’t good for the heart since it tires the heart out. It’s time to debunk these bogus myths. Working out is perfectly healthy and recommended by doctors all over the world to keep your heart pumping and thumping. It is necessary for your heart to have healthy blood flow to prevent high cholesterol levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, and artery damage. It further relieves stress and helps you relax. Exercising provides more oxygen to the brain and muscles from the circulating blood.
The main objective is to help your heart reduce its need to work harder to pump more blood to the muscles, regardless of age, and exercising prevents that. Regular exercise keeps arteries and blood vessels flexible, ensuring good blood flow. The heart itself is a muscle, too much pressure on it is unhealthy, thus, the need to exercise daily and when combined with a smart diet plan, it helps keep excess weight off to lighten your heart and boost your health. Leading an inactive lifestyle is one of the top five reasons for heart diseases. These reasons also include blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol.
The following workouts are perfect for people with heart conditions and are easy to follow. Before starting any exercise, be mindful of how you’re feeling physically to prevent strain on your heart. Always consult your doctor before indulging yourself in workouts because when it comes to the heart, there are no compromises.
– Aerobic Exercise (cardio):
Aerobic workouts help improve blood circulation, which leads to low blood pressure and a stable heart rate. Cardio, as a whole, increases your fitness and reduces the risks of diabetes. For those who already have diabetes, it helps them control their blood sugar.
Aerobic workouts should be done at least 30 minutes a day, almost five days a week. These workouts include running, swimming, playing tennis, and even walking. While walking seems too easy, it requires just as much effort, especially speed walking.
– Strength training:
You can either use weights or your own body weight for this workout. Strength training builds your core and resistance, that is, resistance to fall back. It not only helps with the heart but also maintains your body and keeps it toned. These sessions should work your major muscle groups like chest, arms, hips, abs, and back. It also reduces the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Strength training should be done 2-3 times every week, but be sure to take a day to give your muscles the time to recover.
– Stretching:
Is stretching really a workout? Yes, it is, especially if you’re an inactive person. Stretching should be part of your routine to help ease the stiffness. Stretching helps prepare the muscles for activity and prevents injury. Regular stretching increases flexibility and posture. Exercises like Pilates improve not only your balance and flexibility but also decrease your chances of muscle pain and cramps.
Stretch occasionally. The best part about this mini-workout is that you can do it anytime and anywhere; let it be when you’ve woken up or if you’re at your workspace, tired.
– Interval Training:
It alternates between short bursts of intense exercise with longer periods of active recovery. It is a great way to get a full workout in a short span of time, e.g., you can jog for two minutes and walk for five minutes. Raising and lowering your heart rate helps burn calories and boosts the function of blood vessels.
– Dancing:
Sounds tiring, doesn’t it? You must’ve heard many people say that they’re taking ‘Zumba’ classes, and it has changed their life. They’re not wrong.
Dancing is food for your heart. It boosts your mood and is an all-in-one workout. Dancing builds your muscles, helps lose weight, and keeps you on your toes, quite literally. Dancing isn’t a responsibility like other workouts; it’s your soul coming alive and breaking free. Wear your favorite pair of shoes and Zumba or salsa your heart to health.
– Yoga:
Yoga is like the meditation of the body. It reduces stress and anxiety and also lowers blood pressure and risks of heart diseases.
Adopting a yoga-based lifestyle has been proven to be extremely beneficial in building your heart. It works as stress management as well.
– Cycling:
Cycling is considered by many specialists to be one of the best workouts. It not only strengthens your legs but keeps your heart pumping blood at a healthy rate all around your body without the extra effort. Cycle across the country or the street. It’s just that easy!
– Swimming:
Easier said than done, swimming can be challenging the first few times, but it provides a lot of health benefits as well. Water is considered a natural healer, so swimming, in a way, heals you and makes your heart stronger and lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
– Climbing stairs:
It’s a strange workout, but it gives you results in the comfort of your own home, regardless of how many stairs you have. It helps with weight loss, strengthens your heart, and prevents strokes.
– Running:
There is nothing better than an early morning run, regardless of how short it is. Running is probably the easiest, but it can sometimes also be hard, especially when trying to lose weight. It reduces cholesterol levels and speeds digestion.
These exercises are meant to be easy on your heart and mind and give you the maximum health benefit without overworking your body. Heart diseases aren’t to be played with and should be taken well into consideration when adopting workouts.
These workouts have proven to give you desirable psychological and physiological outcomes. The whole aim is to make sure you lead a comfortable life with the support of beneficial workouts and a healthy diet. These workouts aren’t only for people with heart diseases but are also suitable for those looking to change their workouts.
At South Florida Cardiovascular Specialists, our experts cater to all types of medical queries and help patients on their journey to a healthier and happier life. So, hurry up and book an appointment today!
