Heart disease continues to hold steady as the number-one killer in America. It’s essential to exercise your heart along with the rest of your muscles. In this edition of “The Doctor Is In” I’ll discuss some exercise strategies you can use to keep your heart in shape.

Avoid exercise boredom
Consisting of your heart, lungs, and blood vessels, your cardiovascular system brings oxygen and nutrients into your body and pumps waste out. Exercise is crucial to keep this system in working order. Aerobic exercises, swimming, walking, and cycling are just a few examples of cardiovascular exercise. Within these broad areas, there are numerous variations, which mean plenty of ways to shake up your routine and avoid exercise boredom.

Jumping rope, tennis, and even ballroom dancing all constitute aerobic exercise. When you’re tired of the treadmill, mall walking can be a refreshing change of pace, or grab your swimsuit and try water walking in the pool. This popular workout is great for your muscles and cardiovascular system, and I often recommend it to patients with arthritis.

Setting up a heart-smart routine
The key to successful cardiovascular exercise is finding a doctor and a fitness center that can work together to help you gage your strength level, monitor your progress, and adjust your routine accordingly. At Sedgebrook, I’m in constant contact with the community’s team of fitness specialists, who can individualize a fitness program for each resident, with a physician’s permission of course. Each program incorporates three elements: resistance training, stretching, and cardiovascular workout.

No matter what your fitness level or your physical limitations, there is a heart fitness program out there for you. Have a physical exam and find a center and program that can get you on the road to better cardiovascular health.