February is American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on improving their heart health. Take a look at Harmony Senior Services’ heart smart cardio tips and tricks for any age.
Why should I do cardio?
Cardio exercise strengthens your heart and blood vessels, improves the flow of oxygen throughout your body, lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol, and can reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and cancer.
How often should I do cardio?
Doing cardio exercise two to three times a week for 30 minutes each time is a great start. Then you can work your way up to four to five times a week or for 45 to 60 minutes each time. Be sure to consult your doctor to determine what’s best for you.
What kind of cardio should I do?
Doing any form of cardio is better than doing no cardio at all. Some common cardio forms include high-intensity training like running or cycling, moderate intensity training like walking or swimming, and strength training like weight lifting or yoga.
What are some fun cardio options?
- Ride a bike around your neighborhood
- Play tennis with a friend
- Join a kickball league
- Jump on a trampoline with your kids
- Play golf without a golf cart
- Dance around your living room
- Go for a hike
- Sign up for a Pilates class
- Do tai chi in the park
- Go skiing or snowboarding
Your heart is a muscle, and it gets stronger and healthier if you lead an active life. It’s never too late to start. Join our Healthy with Harmony campaign and commit to adding more cardio to your routine.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HARMONY
Sources:
https://utswmed.org/medblog/heart-cardio-workouts/
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/exercise-healthy-heart