Being physically active reduces the risk of heart-related problems, including heart attack. Physical activity will improve cholesterol levels, help control high blood pressure and diabetes, and manage weight. It also will increase physical fitness and promote psychological well-being and self-esteem, and reduces depression and anxiety.

Those who have already had a heart attack also will benefit greatly from being hysically active. Nowadays, many hospitals have a “Cardiac Rehabilitation Program”. A health care provider can offer advice about a suitable program.

To protect our heart, we only need to do 30 minutes of a moderate-intensity activity on most and, preferably, all days of the week. If 30 minutes is too much at one time, we can break it up into periods of at least 10 minutes each.If we have been inactive hitherto, we should start slowly to increase our physical activity.

If we have coronary heart disease, we must have a check-up with a health care provider before starting a physical activity program. This is especially important if we are above 55 years, have been inactive for a long time, or have diabetes or other serious medical problems. Our health care provider will advise us on how rigorous the exercise should be.