Heart disease is a major concern in today’s world.
That’s why the American Heart Association (AHA) is shining a light on the importance of staying active—especially for adults who have slightly high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Doctors are now being encouraged to take a more hands-on role in helping their patients become more physically active. The idea is simple but powerful: use regular movement as a way to prevent heart problems before they start.
In the U.S., about 21% of adults—around 53 million people—have blood pressure that’s just above the healthy range. And nearly 71 million adults (28%) have moderately high cholesterol. These numbers are a warning sign, but not too late to turn things around.
The AHA recommends a healthy lifestyle to prevent these issues from getting worse. This includes moving more, eating a balanced diet, managing your weight, and limiting alcohol.
One new idea the AHA is supporting is giving patients an ‘exercise prescription.’ Just like a doctor might prescribe medicine, they could also give specific advice on how to add more physical activity into a patient’s life. These prescriptions could include support tools like health coaching or referrals to local programs that help people get moving.
Doctors would ask patients about their daily activity at each visit and help them find ways to be more active—like taking the stairs, walking the dog more often, or even dancing at home. Celebrating small wins could help people stay motivated.
Even small changes in daily activity can have a big impact. Research shows that physical activity helps lower both types of blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and reduces levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). People who are active have a 21% lower risk of getting heart disease and a 36% lower chance of dying from it compared to those who don’t move much.
Government guidelines suggest getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise each week. Adding in strength training a couple of times a week is also recommended. But even a little bit of movement—just 5 to 10 minutes a day—can start to make a difference.
The AHA’s recommendations, published in the journal Hypertension by researcher Bethany Barone Gibbs and her team, show just how important lifestyle choices are for protecting heart health. Exercise prescriptions are a smart way to turn healthy movement into a normal part of our everyday lives.
In short, staying active doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym. It can be as easy as walking more, taking the stairs, or doing a favorite activity you enjoy. And it could be one of the best ways to protect your heart and live a longer, healthier life.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a surprising link between alcohol drinking and heart health and both blood pressure numbers can predict heart disease risk.
For more about heart health, please read studies about a new cause of heart rhythm disorders and eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables daily can reduce heart disease risk.
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