If there was ever a perfect time to start focusing on ways to improve your heart health, it’s during American Heart Month this February.

Exercise plays an important role in maintaining good health, including our heart health. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City wants to offer you some tips on how you can add exercise into your daily routine and improve your heart health as you age.

What Is Heart Disease?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 610,000 Americans die of heart disease each year. While not all risk factors for heart disease can be changed, there are ways people can reduce their risk of heart disease in the future by making healthy lifestyle changes.

Risk Factors of Heart Disease

• Being inactive
• Being overweight
• Diabetes
• Family history of the condition
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• History of preeclampsia during pregnancy
• Pre-diabetes
• Smoking

How Does Exercise Help the Heart?

Exercise is an invaluable tool. In fact, when it comes to heart health, exercise can be just as powerful a tool as taking a medication—and better for you!

Experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week, so get moving for your heart.

Other Benefits of Daily Exercise

• Controls weight
• Decreases risk of diabetes
• Lowers blood pressure
• Lowers stress
• Reduces inflammation
• Strengthens muscles

Are you ready to begin a new exercise routine? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Fountain City today to speak with a physician who can discuss your current health and how to add exercise into your daily routine.