University of Iowa Cardiovascular conditioning Cardiovascular conditioning makes you healthier. It improves circulation and strengthens the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. The heart is a muscle that needs regular conditioning. A well-conditioned heart can pump a large amount of blood with fewer beats than a weak heart. Exercise conditions your heart to become more efficient as well as more resistant to stress, heart attack, and other health problems.
Lack of exercise can lead to changes in the body that threaten the heart.
If you combine lack of exercise with overeating, you gain excess weight and your cholesterol may rise. Inactivity allows the heart to get out of shape and can cause heart disease and circulation problems. The American Heart Association advises doing 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 4 to 6 times a week. As a result, the body and heart become more fit, blood pressure may be reduced, fat may be lost, and other health benefits may be gained. Good aerobic activities are walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, aerobic dancing, and swimming.