subject: Experience How Walking Benefits Your Heart Health [print this page] Walking is something we all do from our first year of life. As we get older, become parents, work and join the busy world, walking seems so simplistic that we no longer realize how important it can be for our heart.
The benefit of walking, when it comes to heart health, is massive. This form of aerobic exercise is so easy to achieve and will strengthen that great muscle in your chest. A strong heart increases blood circulation through your body and brings more nutrients and oxygen to your organs. The more efficient your heart becomes as you exercise, the more blood it can pump with each heartbeat.
A brisk 30 minute walk at least 3 or 4 days a week will possibly reduce the risk for heart disease. Start with a gentle stroll, if you are not used to walking. As you progress, increase your speed until you are walking quite briskly. Build up your speed over time until you cannot quite walk and talk at the same time. If you are goal oriented, count your steps as you walk. Stroll 50 steps, and then walk at your top speed for 50 steps, then back to a stroll. As your legs get into better condition, increase the number of steps, or change to minutes for each segment.
A heart rate monitor is valuable to keep track of your progress. Ask your doctor how to decide what your cardiac target rate should be. He will take into consideration your fitness level, gender and age and will advise you of the value of walking for you as an individual.
Your walking program will give you a strong heart and will benefit your whole body and mind in more ways than can be counted. Do it for you!
