Being physically active is a vital step towards maintaining optimal heart health. According to Kerry J. Stewart, Ed.D., an exercise physiologist at Johns Hopkins, exercise strengthens the heart muscle, helps manage weight, and guards against artery damage that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Different types of exercise contribute to overall fitness.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise improves circulation, reducing blood pressure and heart rate. It enhances aerobic fitness and cardiac output, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and aiding in blood glucose control. Aim for at least 30 minutes, five days a week, with activities like brisk walking, running, swimming, or cycling.
Resistance Training (Strength Work)
Resistance training helps reduce body fat and build lean muscle mass. Combining aerobic exercise and strength work can improve cholesterol levels. Aim for at least two nonconsecutive days per week with exercises like weightlifting or body-resistance exercises.
Stretching, Flexibility, and Balance
While flexibility workouts don't directly impact heart health, they support musculoskeletal health, critical for maintaining aerobic and strength exercises. Stretching, yoga, or tai chi improve flexibility, balance, and stability, reducing the risk of injuries.
For more detailed information on incorporating these exercises into your routine and reaping the full benefits for heart health, check out the article from Johns Hopkins Medicine here.
Unlock the potential of your heart with the power of exercise and pave the way for a healthier, happier you!
Written by KT Tape Team
The KT Tape Team is a collective of passionate experts in kinesiology, sports medicine, athletic training, and fitness innovation. United by a mission to empower movement and recovery, the team brings together decades of experience working with athletes—from elite professionals to weekend warriors—across a wide range of sports and activity levels. Through rigorous research, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and feedback from real users, KT Tape has developed a line of products trusted around the world for pain relief, support for injuries, athletic recovery, and empowering movement. Whether it's developing application guides, supporting major sporting events, or advancing the science of movement, the KT Tape Team is committed to helping people stay active, recover effectively, and perform at their best. KT Tape isn’t just a product—it’s a movement, and the team behind it is here to support yours.
