Walking is a great way to become more heart-healthy. Here are a few of the specific benefits it brings.
You might think walking is too simple of an exercise to really do anything for you, but there are actually plenty of great benefits that come from walking every day. Doing so can lower your blood pressure, decrease your heart rate, and more.
We recently came across an article from the American Council on Exercise that outlined the many different benefits of walking on a regular basis. You can check out the full article here, but here are a few of the highlights that we picked out:
Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women in the United States, and the American Heart Association listed inactivity as a risk factor for the disease. Consistently walking every day addresses many important health risk factors, including:
- Improves good cholesterol (HDL)
- Lowers blood pressure (it is recommended to shoot for a top number (systolic) of 120 mm Hg or lower)
- Aids in weight management
- Reduces HbA1c (measure for diabetic control)
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces mental stress
- Reduces the incidence of depression
"Lowering your blood pressure and decreasing your heart rate are just two benefits that you’ll see from walking."
When combined, these also reduce one’s risk of heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease, and death in general.
If you have any questions for us about how walking can help you become more healthy or if you have any health or exercise-related questions in general, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
