April 2, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s get physical; cardiovascular health refers to the health of the heart and blood vessels. Its system circulates blood, oxygen and nutrients through the body. It\u2019s important to maintain good cardiovascular health in order to prevent disease later in life. It also helps to improve energy levels and overall well-being. With our generation taking health and exercise seriously, it may feel like we have forgotten the importance of cardio while prioritizing strength training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many benefits of cardiovascular health, with the biggest being that it prevents heart disease and stroke. Unfortunately, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but it\u2019s completely preventable with a healthy lifestyle. Focusing on cardiovascular health maintains a strong heart and clear arteries, which reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and hypertension. With preventing heart disease comes keeping one\u2019s cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Plaque tends to build up in one\u2019s arteries when they live a sedentary lifestyle. Taking a proactive approach to cardiovascular health can add years to one\u2019s life. A second benefit is that it can boost energy and stamina. When a healthy heart is able to pump blood more efficiently, the muscles and organs get more oxygen and nutrients. When someone gets more oxygen and nutrients, they will feel more alert, active and energized throughout the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When one focuses on their cardiovascular health, there are other personal benefits, such as enhanced brain function, increased quality of life and improved sleep. Working on our cardiovascular health reduces inflammation and stress on the heart, which in turn can lower the risk of certain illnesses, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. With the improvement of one\u2019s quality of life, those who tend to their cardiovascular health can reduce their anxiety and possibly alleviate some of the symptoms associated with depression. With regard to improving our sleep quality, poor cardiovascular health can directly lead to sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and insomnia. Improving one\u2019s cardiovascular health works to regulate sleep cycles and improve feelings of restfulness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As some may want to improve their cardiovascular health, it\u2019s crucial to understand the detrimental effects of poor cardiovascular health. Ignoring this portion of our health can lead to serious, life altering consequences. When one is neglectful, it can lead to an increased risk of stroke, chronic fatigue, low energy levels, poor mental health, increased stress, blood clots and the possible risk of permanent disability. All of this can result in a weakened immune system and a shorter life expectancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding the impacts cardiovascular health has on our lives, there are many workouts that help to improve one\u2019s cardiovascular health. Cardio exercises are also known as aerobic exercises, which help to strengthen one\u2019s heart, improve circulation and boost overall endurance. Here\u2019s a list of some of the most flexible and popular exercises one could try. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking<\/strong> \u2014 This is typically seen as the first step in cardiovascular disease prevention. This low-impact, beginner friendly exercise helps to reduce stress and improve circulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jogging or running<\/strong> \u2014 This is what comes to mind when someone hears the word \u201ccardio.\u201d It is easily adjustable between participating outdoors or on the treadmill. Along with walking, these exercises improve one\u2019s lung function, heart rate and endurance levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycling<\/strong> \u2014 Strengthening leg muscles, this low-impact exercise is great for joint health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Swimming<\/strong> \u2014 This exercise works the whole body while also being easy on one\u2019s joints. It is ideal for all fitness levels and is a great way to beat the heat in the coming months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dancing<\/strong> \u2014 This exercise is a fun and engaging way to get one\u2019s heart pumping. It improves coordination and flexibility which can be done alone or in a group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n High intensity interval training<\/strong> \u2014 This last workout consists of short bursts of intense exercise followed by rest. This means that one would burn more calories in less time, boosting metabolism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cardiovascular health is not just about avoiding disease \u2014 it\u2019s about living one\u2019s best life. A strong heart leads to more energy, better brain function, improved mood and a longer, healthier future. Taking small steps today can make a huge difference in one\u2019s heart\u2019s health over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu April 2, 2025 Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor Let\u2019s get physical; cardiovascular health refers to the health of the heart and blood vessels. Its system circulates blood, oxygen and nutrients through the body. It\u2019s important to maintain good cardiovascular health in order to prevent disease later in life. It also helps to improve […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[112,2816,6654,6649,41,4098,4595,4143,6656,6655,5563,111,3695,493,5074,2991,6660,5635,6662,6657,6650,154,6663,6645,6661,6652,6659,6635,6648,6647,6242,1444,6653,6651,6658,6646,1020,3437,2065,608,39],"class_list":["post-22549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-active","tag-blood-pressure","tag-cardiovascular","tag-cholesterol","tag-college","tag-cycling","tag-dancing","tag-death","tag-disease","tag-efficient","tag-energy","tag-exercise","tag-gen-z","tag-health","tag-healthy","tag-heart","tag-heart-attacks","tag-heart-disease","tag-hiit","tag-hypertension","tag-jogging","tag-lifestyle","tag-low-impact","tag-muscles","tag-nutrients","tag-organs","tag-oxygen","tag-physical-health","tag-plaque","tag-prevention","tag-proactive","tag-running","tag-sedentary-lifestyle","tag-stamina","tag-strength-training","tag-stroke","tag-swimming","tag-walking","tag-well-being","tag-western-oregon-university","tag-wou"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22549"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22553,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22549\/revisions\/22553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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