Heart disease exercise

Regular exercise plays an important role in reducing the risk of serious health events like heart attacks and strokes. This page will help you get started with some simple ideas.

Remember, the beneficial effects of exercise will be further enhanced by healthy eating (see Heart disease diet), not smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation.

Health test medium

General information

One of the most important potential benefits of regular exercise is preventing cardiovascular disease (i.e. heart attacks and strokes) which is the leading cause of death in New Zealand

Regular exercise can help address some of the underlying health conditions that contribute to heart disease:

• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Excess weight.

But exercise is not only good for heart health – it’s good for the whole body. Studies have found regular exercise:

• Increases blood flow to the brain
• Boosts levels of "feel good" chemicals called endorphins
• Helps in memory functioning
• Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes.

As we become older, exercise has also been shown to:

• Reduce the risk of dementia among older men (by walking three kilometres a day)
• Maintain muscle strength and prevent falls
• Help to maintain healthy bones (preventing osteoporosis) especially through a combination of running/walking and weight-bearing exercise.

Starting an exercise plan

Important — if you are over 60 years of age, relatively unfit, or have existing health problems, talk with your GP before you commence new exercise plans and get their advice on an appropriate level of physical activity for you. If you feel any pain or discomfort you should stop exercising.

A good exercise plan starts with the aim of incorporating some moderate-intensity physical activity into most days of the week. Some experts say you should start with a minimum of 30 minutes a day, but any regular daily increase in exercise is worthwhile. Plenty of activities qualify, including walking, housework, shopping, mowing the lawn and gardening. Once you have started, you can pick up the pace, increasing the intensity of your exercise and, with it, your overall fitness.

Walking for exercise

Walking is a popular way to add exercise to your daily life. For some people, a brisk early morning walk sets them up for the day while for others an evening walk is a good way to wind down. If possible, set aside half an hour and walk most days.

A great way to get a regular walk is to incorporate it into something you are doing most days anyway. If you take a bus to work, consider getting off a stop or two before your usual one. If you take the car to work, maybe use a cheaper parking space a bit further away from your workplace and save money and get some exercise – a win-win!

If finding a regular 30-minute slot in your busy day is difficult, you will still benefit from taking exercise in smaller doses. So called “snacktivity” has also been shown to be effective in reducing heart attack risks. For example:

• Take a brisk walk at lunchtime
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator where possible
• Park further away from the office
• Get off the bus two stops earlier
• Persuade colleagues to have a "walking meeting" rather than sitting in an office
• Walk through the office to see colleagues, rather than sending an email
• If you pop out for morning coffee, go to a café that is located in the next block
• If you drive the children to school, park a few blocks away and walk the final distance
• Walk to the dairy instead of taking the car
• Start a Sunday stroll ritual.

A pedometer can be a good tool and motivator. The 10,000 steps exercise plan sets the target of 10,000 steps per day. Inactive people rarely manage 3,000 steps a day. By measuring your steps with a pedometer you can measure your progress and set your own targets to walk more.

Whatever your age, walking is a safe, effective and easy exercise option. But it is far from your only choice:

• Swimming
• Cycling
• Running or jogging
• Fitness classes
• Tennis
• Golf
• Dancing.

Exercise through different life stages

Regular exercise is important for all ages. In general, you should aim for at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity (or 1.25 hours of vigorous-intensity physical activity) spread across the week. As a guide, during moderate-intensity activity you can still hold a conversation; during vigorous-intensity activity it should not be possible to say more than a few words without pausing for breath.

Children

• Children need at least one hour of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity every day, either in one block, or as "snacktivity"
• Join the 'walking school bus' if there is one, or walk with your children to school instead of taking the car (good for you and them)
• Play with a ball or frisbee in the back yard
• Trampolines are great fun and encourage exercise
• Give them the job of walking the dog in return for a little pocket money
• Enrol them in a sports team or club.

Teenagers

• Teenagers need at least one hour of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity most days of the week, just like everybody else
• Get them into sport (netball, soccer, rugby, hockey, rowing, swimming, running…)
• Cycling or walking to school
• Skateboarding or roller-blading
• Dance classes.

Adults

• Adults should do at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity exercise. Split this into three blocks of 10 minute "snacktivity" scattered through the day if you need to
• For over 40s, add some weight training or strength exercises to your exercise plan to help prevent the loss of bone density and muscle mass that accompanies ageing
• For over 60s, if you do not want to slow down with age, do not slow up on the physical activity. Aim for 30 minutes of sustained exercise five or more days a week.
• Wash the car or windows
• Vacuum the house
• Walk
• Play golf
• Join an exercise class — Pilates and yoga build cardiovascular strength without taxing the joints
• Weight-bearing exercise is important.

Need more inspiration?

• Join your local gym or YMCA
• Consider a bike — on-road, off-road, or a stationary bike for use at home
• Check out your local colleges or community centre — many offer exercise plans and night classes
• Find an exercise buddy or fitness trainer — making a commitment to someone else can be a good motivator.

References

Heart Foundation (2019). Lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke (Booklet PDF). Auckland: Heart Foundation of New Zealand. https://assets.heartfoundation.org.nz/documents/shop/heart-healthcare/hf-lower-your-heart-attack-risk-2019.pdf?1604261988
Heart Foundation (2020). General heart statistics in New Zealand (Web Page). Auckland: Heart Foundation of New Zealand. https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/statistics [Accessed: 02/11/20)
Mayo Clinic (2019). Strategies to prevent heart disease (Web Page). Rochester, MN: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/ART-20046502 [Accessed: 02/11/20]
Ministry of Health (2017). New Zealand Health Survey: Annual update of key results 2016/17 (Report PDF). Wellington: Ministry of Health New Zealand. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2016-17-new-zealand-health-survey
Ministry of Health (2018). Physical activity (Web Page). Wellington: New Zealand Government Ministry of Health. https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/food-and-physical-activity/physical-activity [Accessed: 02/11/20]

Last reviewed: November 2020

Go to our Medical Library Index Page to find information on other medical conditions.