Five best exercises for heart health!

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

Exercises and physical activity are the words that take centre stage when it comes to healthy living, lifestyle, weight management, etc.

Our heart, which is a hard-working muscle, gets stronger and healthier if we lead an active life. And, yes, it's never too late to start exercising and you don't have to be a sportsperson. Even taking a brisk walk for half an hour a day can make a big difference.

But, you should also know that not all workouts are heart healthy.

While it's a good idea to consult your doctor before taking up any exercise to make sure that you are ready for whatever activity you have in your mind, here are five best heart-friendly exercises:

Aerobic exercise: For a healthy heart, experts recommend 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise on most days of the week. Aerobic exercise include – jogging, running, biking, etc.

Climbing stairs: This can be done both at home or at your work place. In order to get maximum heart health benefit from any aerobic exercise, one should aim to reach between 50 and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate, said experts.

Tai Chi: The gentle movements of tai chi, which is performed using slow rhythmic body movements combined with deep breathing and concentration, reduce stress and give many health benefits, including heart.

Dancing: Dancing your way to heart health can be a most enjoyable form of exercise. It is a great acivity for those at risk of cardiovascular disease. While it is up to you either to go for a high impact or low impact, a good aerobic beat is about 120 to 135 beats per minute.

Stretching: Stretching should be a part of your exercise plan. It can be tough for many, but doing this a couple of times a week will make you more flexible. One needs to be cautious while doing stretching exercises to avoid any discomfort or injury in the body.