Exercises useful for the heart Exercise plays an important role in **strengthening the cardiovascular system** and can prevent heart diseases and improve the general health of the body. Regular physical activity reduces blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol (LDL), increases good cholesterol (HDL) and improves blood circulation. Also, exercise helps to reduce stress, which is one of the influential factors in heart diseases. In the following, we will examine the **best exercises for heart health**. **The best exercises for heart health** Exercises useful for the heart include **aerobic exercises, resistance exercises and flexibility exercises**. The combination of these three types of exercise can improve heart function and prevent heart problems. ### **1. Aerobic sports (cardio)** Aerobic exercises are the most effective in strengthening the heart because they increase the heart rate and improve oxygen supply to the muscles. Some of the best aerobic exercises for the heart include: - **Fast walking**: one of the simplest and **most effective exercises for heart health**, which causes **increasing cardiovascular endurance**. **Running**: It helps to strengthen the heart muscles and increases the breathing capacity. - **Cycling**: removes the pressure from the joints and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system. - **Swimming**: by increasing water resistance, it strengthens the heart function and lowers blood pressure. - **Dance**: a fun and useful exercise that can raise the heart rate and increase the endurance of the body. ### **2. Resistance (strength) exercises** Resistance exercises help to strengthen body muscles and along with aerobic exercises, they play an important role in heart health. Some of the **best resistance exercises for the heart** include: - **Training with light weights**: using light dumbbells to strengthen muscles and increase body metabolism. - **Body weight exercises**: movements such as Swedish swimming, squats and lunges that increase body strength and improve blood circulation. ### **3. Flexibility and balance exercises** These types of exercises help reduce stress and prevent muscle injuries: - **Yoga**: lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and improves the functioning of the nervous and cardiac systems. - **Stretching movements**: increases muscle flexibility and reduces pressure on the heart. ** Useful exercises for heart patients ** People with a history of heart disease should exercise more cautiously and always consult their doctor before starting an exercise program. Suitable exercises for heart patients include: - **walking**, slow and regular walking is one of the best sports for **heart patients**. This exercise improves blood circulation, lowers blood pressure and increases cardiac endurance. - **breathing exercises**, breathing control exercises such as meditation and yoga help reduce stress and improve heart function. - **stationary cycling**, this exercise helps to **improve cardiovascular function** without putting too much pressure on the heart. - **light resistance exercises**, training with very light weights or resistance bands helps strengthen muscles and improves blood sugar and blood pressure control. ### **Important tips for heart patients during exercise** Always warm up before exercise. - Avoid doing heavy sports without consulting a doctor. - If you feel chest pain, dizziness or shortness of breath, stop exercising. Useful exercises after open heart surgery Patients who have undergone **open heart surgery** need a special exercise program that should be done gradually and with the doctor's advice. ### **1. The first weeks after surgery** - Start with a very slow walk to improve blood circulation. - Breathing exercises to prevent lung problems. - Avoiding vigorous movements and lifting heavy objects. ### **2. Months after surgery** - Gradual increase in the amount of walking and its speed. - Adding gentle stretching movements to increase flexibility. - Light exercises with small weights to improve muscle strength. ### **Safety tips after open heart surgery** - Consult your doctor before starting exercise. - Slowly and gradually increase the intensity of the exercises. - If you experience severe pain or fatigue, stop the exercise. - Adjust your exercise program under the supervision of a cardiologist. ### Wishing you health and well-being Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, **heart patients** and people who have had **heart surgery** should exercise with caution and carry out their exercise program under the supervision of a doctor. Doing aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises helps to maintain heart health and improve the quality of life. **Dr. Marvarid Dadres**, **superspecialist of cardiology in Tehran**, by providing **exercise counseling to heart patients** helps them to choose their suitable physical activities. Also, by performing **Exercise and heart health test** with **Echocardiography**, it evaluates the condition of heart function and prevents possible problems. If you are looking for expert advice to maintain your heart health, you can visit his clinic.