Regular exercise keeps your heart and the rest of your body in shape. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. 

“It’s important for everybody in the community to make a goal and try to get out and exercise,” Dr. Jude Gabaldon, Cardiologist at San Juan Regional Heart Center, said. 

Exercise helps to prevent a heart attack by reducing your blood pressure, helping control cholesterol and improving your overall well-being. 

“Exercise can also improve your mental health by improving your overall outlook,” Dr. Gabaldon said. “We are fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of sunshine. Get outside, get moving and enjoy the beauty of the Four Corners.”

Different ages may have different abilities, so a good rule of thumb is to start slowly and increase your activity gradually. 

“Don’t feel like you have to start by running a marathon,” Dr. Gabaldon said. “Just get out and be as active as you can. Walking is a great way to improve your overall cardiovascular health.”

Here are some ways to add more activity to your life:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• If you sit for long periods of time at work, get up every hour
• Go outside with co-workers and walk during lunch or breaks 
• Do strength training and stretching exercises 2 or more times per week that will work all major muscle groups.

Remember to check with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program if you've been sedentary or have a chronic disease.

Additional Resources/links: 

Walk Your Way to a Healthy Heart

The path toward better health starts with a single step. Walking is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Learn more about the benefits of walking and get a guide to local walking trails.

Heart Attack

How much do you know about heart attacks? From risk factors and prevention to diagnosis and treatment, here’s a rundown of what you should know.  

Early Heart Attack Care

Did you know heart attacks have beginnings? Knowing the early signs and symptoms could be the difference between life and death. Learn EHAC.