Cardiovascular exercise
Definition:
Often simply called ‘cardio,’ cardiovascular exercise is any type of exercise that gets your heart rate up and keeps it up for a prolonged period of time. This increases your breathing rate and makes your heart pump harder, strengthening your cardiovascular system.
Cardio can help you:
- Lose weight, or maintain a healthy weight
- Strengthen your heart and lungs
- Improve your circulation
- Increase your energy levels
- Boost your mood [1]
- Reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes [2]
Treated trusted sources:
- Smith, P.J. and Merwin, R.M. (2021). The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders: An Integrative Review. Annual Review of Medicine, [online] 72(1), pp.45–62.
- Nystoriak, M.A. and Bhatnagar, A. (2018). Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, [online] 5(135).
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