The link between exercise and a healthy heart is well established. Exercise has clinically been shown to help prevent heart disease, as well as reduce the severity of existing heart disease. Because of its many benefits for the heart, exercise is strongly recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the American Heart Association.

Research has shown that people who get regular exercise are less likely to have a heart attack and/or die from heart disease. Conversely, lack of exercise has been linked in some studies to over 15 percent of all mortality in the United States, as well as a two-fold increase in the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The dramatic benefit that exercise has for the heart and blood vessels include:

• Decreasing the heart’s need for oxygen because the heart works more efficiently.
  
  
• Strengthening the heart muscle. The heart pumps fewer times while still meeting the body’s demand for oxygen-rich blood.
  
  
• Reducing the levels of triglycerides and LDL “bad” cholesterol. Both of these types of blood fats have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
  
  
• Increasing the level of HDL “good” cholesterol. Moderately high levels of HDL cholesterol have been identified as a protective factor against heart disease.
  

  

• Lowering blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) puts an added strain on the cardiovascular system.
  
  
• Stimulating the natural process of angiogenesis, by which the body creates tiny new blood vessels to bypass clogged or diseased blood vessels.
  
  
• Helping to keep the blood vessels clear of blood clots and the buildup of plaque.
  
  
• Reversing the process of “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis).
  
  
• Reducing inflammation throughout the body by lowering the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the blood. Inflammation has been linked to atherosclerosis.

Exercise may benefit patients with chronic heart failure as well. Recent studies indicate that proper amounts of exercise help heart failure patients live longer and reduce the number of times they must visit the hospital. However, heart failure patients are urged to follow their physician’s recommendations regarding exercise.

In addition to its many direct cardiovascular benefits, exercise also offers indirect benefits by helping to control two conditions that put strain on the heart: diabetes and obesity.