WHAT'S THE BEST EXERCISE TO LOWER HEART ATTACK RISK? THE NO. 1 PICK FROM A CARDIOLOGIST
Exercise is famously good for the mind and body. But what type of physical activity is best to reduce your risk of a heart attack?
Strength training, cardio and stretching are all beneficial for health in different ways, including weight loss, a leaner body and better mood.
There’s also isometric exercise, which involves contracting muscles and holding that position for a few minutes without moving — doing a plank or wall squat, for example. It’s static, but very intense.
Of all these, one type of physical activity is superior for the heart, says Dr. Luke Laffin, a preventive cardiologist and co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic.
Cardiologist Tip of the Day: Do Aerobic Exercise
“Aerobic exercise training should be promoted above all else,” Laffin previously told TODAY.com.
Also known as cardio or endurance exercise, aerobic activity makes you breathe harder and forces your heart to beat faster, which makes the heart and lungs stronger, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute notes.
Examples of aerobic exercise include walking, hiking, jogging, swimming, riding a bike, jumping rope, tennis, pickleball and soccer.
If you're not sure where to start, download the Start TODAY app for monthly cardio plans designed by best-in-class trainers. From indoor walking routines to HIIT workouts and guided audio podcasts that will motivate you get your steps in, the Start TODAY app can help you make regular aerobic exercise a habit.
Why It Matters
Study after study has shown aerobic physical activity is better than other types of exercise when it comes to lowering the risk of heart attack, Laffin said.
When done regularly, it can lower a person’s risk for coronary heart disease, a condition where plaque clogs the arteries, and reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Aerobic exercise also lowers blood pressure in both healthy people and those who have high blood pressure, a condition that can lead to a heart attack, the American Heart Association warns.
How to Get Started
Laffin recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity — which means you can still carry on a conversation while doing it — per week.
It can be broken up into “exercise snacks” that last a few minutes, done over 30-minute sessions or concentrated into longer workouts. Exercising only on weekends, for example, provides similar health benefits as more frequent shorter workouts, studies have found.
Here's some Start TODAY exercise inspiration to try:
TODAY’s Expert Tip of the Day series is all about simple strategies to make life a little easier. Every Monday through Friday, different qualified experts share their best advice on diet, fitness, heart health, mental wellness and more.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
2025-06-18T12:09:03Z