Heart disease and physical activity

Regular physical activity can help you reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Being active also can help women maintain or lose weight. It also helps control blood pressure, lessens a diabetic's need for insulin and boosts the level of "good" HDL-cholesterol.

Even low- to moderately-intensive activity, such as walking, stair climbing, gardening, yard work, moderate-to-heavy housework, dancing and home exercise, can help to lower the risk of heart disease. To get heart benefits from these activities, do one or more of them every day this kind of activity is called "aerobic" activity and includes such activities as walking, jogging, swimming and jumping rope. Any physical activity that you do briskly for at least 30 minutes also can strengthen your heart.

However, do consult your doctor before you start or increase physical activity if you have heart trouble or have had a heart attack, or are taking medicine for high blood pressure or a heart condition. It is also a good idea if you are older than 50 years of age and are not used to energetic activity or if you have a family history of developing heart disease at a young age.