Lack of exercise increases the risk of heart disease. Lack of exercise can also be related to other diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Even limited amounts of exercise can be good for your heart. Exercise helps your heart by improving blood flow to the heart muscle. It also improves the heart's ability to handle stress.

The best kind of exercise for your heart is regular aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise, such as swimming, bicycling, or jogging, helps build up endurance rather than muscle strength. Persons who have had a heart attack can also benefit from regular aerobic exercise. Research has shown that people who exercise regularly after a heart attack live longer than people who do not.

Exercise which is not vigorous, but is regular can also help the heart. These activities include: walking, gardening, housework, dancing and home exercise. Elderly persons can benefit from walking, golf, shuffleboard and ping pong. You should see your doctor before you start an exercise program if:
* You have been told you have a heart condition.
* You often have chest, neck or shoulder pain during or just after exercise.
* You have recently developed chest pains.
* You have dizzy spells or sometimes black out.
* You get out of breath easily.
* You take medicines for heart or blood pressure problems or have a health condition, such as diabetes, which might be affected by exercise.
* Your joints could be hurt by exercise.
* You have not exercised vigorously for a long time and plan to start doing so.

If you do not have these problems, you can begin a gradual exercise program. If you develop chest pain, breathlessness, or other symptoms during exercise, you should rest. If these problems are new or concern you; you should see your doctor.

To learn more, contact your local Heart Association office or call (800) 242-8721.

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