How Much Exercise Does Your Heart Need?

New research suggests that to keep your heart in the best shape, you should try to exercise for 30 minutes four to five times a week. Although it’s well established that exercise is important to prevent heart disease, there has been debate over how much is necessary. As we age, our arteries become stiffer which can lead to heart disease or stroke.

In this new study, researchers found that people who exercised two to three times a week for 30 minutes a session had healthier medium sized arteries which are important for blood flow to the head, neck, and extremities. People who exercised four to five times a week for 30 minutes or more, had healthier large sized arteries which are important for blood flow in the chest and abdomen, as well as healthier medium sized arteries.

Exercising four to five times a week seems to be the optimal amount of exercise for arterial health. Remember however, that any amount of exercise is beneficial to reduce your risk of heart disease, and that exercise or physical activity can be cumulative over the course of the day and doesn’t have to be done in one block of time.

About the Author

Matthew Abinante is a board-certified family physician providing direct primary care to patients of all ages. Offering excellent care, diagnosis, and techniques, he continually participates in educational opportunities to best serve his patients. Working in Huntington Beach, he analyzes common aches and pains, proposes innovative treatment plans, and provides specialized services for each individual patient. 

After excelling for years, Matthew received his DO and MPH from Touro University in Vallejo, CA. Matthew completed his residency training at PIH Health Hospital in Downey, CA, where he became a board-certified and trusted family physician who values patient-doctor relationships and clear communication.