Why should I exercise ?

If your doctor has advised you to begin an exercise program, you should follow that advice. People who don't get enough physical activity exercise are much more likely to develop heart disease and high blood pressure.

Exercise can lower the risk of:

• Heart disease and heart attack
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

If you have not been active and want to start your exercise, first check with your doctor for a program that is right for you. Once you start you will find that exercise is not just good for your health - exercise is also fun.

What else can exercise do for me?

Exercise offers a lot of enjoyable and important benefits including:

• Lessening your chance of heart attack
• Strengthening your heart, lungs, bones and muscles
• giving your more energy and strength.
• Helping control your weight and blood pressure
• helping your handle stress
• helping you sleep better
• helping your look good
• making your feel upbeat

What kind of exercise should I do?

To help your heart, exercise should be constant and last long enough to increase the blood flow to the muscles. Start slowly and build up as your hart gets stronger. First, discuss exercise with your doctor or nurse. Some examples of exercises you can try are:

• Walking or hiking
• jogging
• bicycling
• swimming
• rowing
• walking on a  treadmill
• stair climbing
• aerobic dancing
• cross country skiing

How often should I exercise?

Work up to 20-30 minutes of exercise. Make sure it is regular, at least 3 times a week. Try to spread it out over the week for best results. An every-other day schedule works best.

What else is good for your health?

In addition to exercise, studies show that easy to do daily activities may benefit your heart. Also, making small changes in your lifestyle can make a big overall difference n your health. Her are some examples:

• Take a stroll in the neighborhood
• get into gardening or yard work
• take stairs instead of escalators an elevators
• park farther from the stores and walk through parking lot
• learn a new dance