One activity 'better than anything a doctor could give you' for heart health

A cardiologist has suggested that one activity could be "better than anything a doctor could give you" for heart health. The expert believes that regular exercise could significantly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. The news comes amid a new study found cutting out one drink a day can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Heart health is a significant concern in the US, with approximately 121.5 million adults living with cardiovascular disease . It's also the leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in over 20 million deaths annually.



The World Health Organization (WHO) cautions that more than four out of five cardiovascular disease deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, which a recent report suggested could be predicted by a simple eye test. Furthermore, one-third of these deaths occur prematurely in individuals under 70 years old. California doctor aged 101 shares seven tips on how to live a long life One food that's surprisingly high in salt and can raise your blood pressure Several factors can increase your risk of heart disease, including an unhealthy diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and even exposure to air pollution.

Additionally, the amount of exercise you get plays a part. With this in mind, Professor Dan Augustine, a cardiologist at Royal United Hospitals Bath, encouraged people to increase their physical activity. In an interview with The Guardian, he stated: "If you put exercise into a pill, it would probably be better than anything a doctor could give you to improve heart health.

" Both the NHS in the UK and the CDC in the US recommend at least 150 minutes of "moderate intensity" exercise per week. Prof Augustine explained that this refers to activities that "gets you a bit breathless". This could include brisk walking, cycling, dancing, hiking, or even mowing the lawn.

Alternatively, the CDC suggests swapping this for 75 minutes of more vigorous exercise like jogging or running can also suffice; longer periods of exercise may yield "even more health benefits". Harvard Health experts shed light on how exercise can do wonders for the heart, revealing that it can "increase" the heart’s chambers, allowing the heart to pump "more efficiently" and relax with greater ease. Moreover, physical activity has been shown to potentially boost blood circulation by as much as 25%, prompting blood vessels to "expand slightly" and become more pliable.

Research indicates that regular workouts can also contribute to lower blood pressure, lessening the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Over time, another advantage of consistent exercise is its capacity to decrease visceral fat around the organs, which, when present in high levels, is associated with heart disease. To maximize the advantages of an exercise regimen, the NHS recommends the following guidelines for adults:.

In case of concerns about heart health, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional..