Young at heart

THE beginning of a new year repre- sents a fresh start and many of us have taken up healthy habits - but have you considered your heart?

- BY CAMILLA FOSTER

RHYTHM OF LIFE: Dancing will get your pulse racing

Why is exercise so important? “Your heart is a muscle, so you want to get it working and anything that makes your heart rate go up is going to do that,” says Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation.

“Exercise helps lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels which reduces your risk for developing type two diabetes and heart and circulatory diseases. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which can help reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes.”

Staying active relieves stresser

“Stress is very strongly linked to people being more likely to pick up bad habits, such as eating badly and not doing any exercise, so we want people to be doing as much as they can to stay active,” says Emily

Heading out for a walk is one of the simplest ways to get your body moving. Some of us might not think of putting one foot in front of the other as “proper” exercise but just because it isn't intense, that doesn't mean it isn't doing you good. Walking can have a host of physical and mental health benefits and best of all, it's completely free.

A healthier body

Even a short walk is beneficial. A study from the University of Cambridge¹ found that 11 minutes a day of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, lowers the risk of an early death. Regular physical activity, including walking, can reduce by up to 35% the risk of cardiovascular disease.