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?<\/p>\n
Strength training, cardio and stretching are all beneficial for health in different ways, including weight loss, a leaner body and better mood.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also isometric exercise, which involves contracting muscles and holding that position for a few minutes without moving \u2014 doing a plank<\/a> or wall squat<\/a>, for example. It\u2019s static, but very intense.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Cardiologist Tip of the Day: Do Aerobic Exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAerobic exercise training should be promoted above all else,\u201d Laffin previously told TODAY.com.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Examples of aerobic exercise include walking<\/a>, hiking, jogging, swimming, riding a bike, jumping rope<\/a>, tennis, pickleball<\/a> and soccer.<\/p>\n If you’re not sure where to start, download the Start TODAY app<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When done regularly, it can lower a person\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Aerobic exercise also lowers blood pressure<\/a> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to Get Started<\/strong><\/p>\n Laffin recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity \u2014 which means you can still carry on a conversation while doing it \u2014 per week.<\/p>\n It can be broken up into \u201cexercise snacks<\/a>\u201d that last a few minutes, done over 30-minute sessions or concentrated into longer workouts. Exercising only on weekends<\/a>, for example, provides similar health benefits as more frequent shorter workouts, studies have found.<\/p>\n Here’s some Start TODAY<\/a> exercise inspiration to try:<\/p>\n