The best exercise for heart health: Brisk walking
There is no single exercise that guarantees prevention of a heart attack. However, brisk walking is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to lower your risk of heart disease. It helps improve fitness and supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight.
How to get started
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Week 1: Walk for 10–15 minutes at a comfortable pace.
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Build gradually: Increase your walking time as your fitness improves.
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Long-term goal: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as 30 minutes on five days.American Heart Association
At a moderate pace, you should breathe a little faster but still be able to talk.
Other helpful exercises include cycling, swimming, and strength training. Exercise works best alongside not smoking, a heart-healthy diet, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Important: If you have known heart disease, have had a heart attack, or develop chest pain, unusual breathlessness, or dizziness during exercise, seek medical advice before continuing. Sudden chest pressure, severe breathlessness, or fainting requires emergency care.
One question
Are you looking to prevent a first heart attack, or have you already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease? I can tailor the exercise advice to your situation.
