Health officials encourage people to exercise to decrease risk of heart disease

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Doctors are encouraging people to get in the habit of exercising as American Heart Month continues in February.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 695,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2021. That makes up one in five deaths. Heart disease can affect blood flow to the heart, which can cause a heart attack.

Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking. People with diabetes, overweight, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are at a higher risk for heart disease.

A Norton Healthcare doctor said physical activity benefits heart health, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.

"I think it’s important to take a step back and realize that physical activity is the most important thing that you can do, and that’s on the way to regular exercise," said Dr. Jason Hopper with Norton Heart and Vascular Institute. "But, being active is anything that gets the body moving, anything intentional just to start. And you’ve got to start somewhere. If all that you can do is a few minutes each day, that’s all you have time for, or all that you’re able to do at that time then that’s great. The biggest benefit that you get is going from sedentary, not doing anything, to a little."

Exercise can also strength heart muscles.

The American Heart Association recommends about 150 minutes a week of physical activity. It averages to around 30 minutes five times a week.

Hopper said people who are just starting to exercise shouldn't overdo it in the beginning. He said a little exercise is better than none at all.