  Regular, moderate physical activity can help improve the way you look, feel, and work. Regular physical activity can also help you reduce your risk of heart disease or keep your risk low by:
Talk with your doctor before starting (or greatly increasing) your physical activity if you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, have pains or pressure in the chest and shoulder, feel dizzy or faint, get breathless after mild exertion, are middle-aged or older and have not been physically active, or plan a vigorous active program. Try low-to-moderate level activities, such as:
Begin by doing the activity for a few minutes most days. Aim for at least 30 minutes per day, 3 or 4 days per week. This can include regular aerobic activity, such as:
If you have chest pain, feel faint or light-headed, or become extremely out of breath while exercising, stop the activity at once and tell your doctor as soon as possible. For information on the approximate number of calories that can be used performing various physical activities, see our tipsheet entitled "Calories Used by a 150 Pound Person for 20 Minutes of Physical Activity of Different Intensities." |
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