Being physically active has many health benefits:
- Burn calories and help controls weight
- May improve cholesterol levels
- May reduce blood pressure
The best exercises for your heart are "aerobic" exercises, meaning the activity is strenuous enough to make you breathe more deeply and quickly, and which makes your heart beat faster. Some examples are;
- Stair-climbing
- Walking or jogging
- Dancing
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Rowing
- Cross-country skiing
- Skipping rope
If you are over age 40, overweight or have a chronic disease, it's a good idea to discuss your planned activities with your doctor before starting them. In order to maintain a good fitness level, it's best to exercise at least three times a week. Ideally, you should exercise for about 30 minutes each time, but exercising for less than 30 minutes will still benefit your health, than no exercise at all.
Stop exercising and call a physician at The Primary Care Center if you develop:
- Excessive tiredness
- Dizziness or fainting spells
- Very rapid or slow heartbeats
- Severe shortness of breath
- An irregular heart rate
- Significant joint or muscle pain
- Discomfort or pressure in your chest ( or your arm, jaw, neck or back)