Aerobic exercise performed at moderate intensity makes the heart stronger. Hard, strenuous exercise is not needed to improve the health of the heart and lungs. Moderate and continuous exercise is. An aerobic exercise program makes the heart more efficient at delivering oxygen to the body's cells. It helps blood pressure go down.
Exercise lowers the risk for heart attack and heart disease.
For moderate fitness, do 30-plus minutes of aerobic exercise 3 to 5 times a week. Cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Too much of it in the blood can clog blood vessels. A blocked blood vessel supplying muscles of the heart can cause a heart attack and even death. Exercise lowers the cholesterol that clogs blood vessels.