Physical Fitness leads to a Healthy Heart

February is heart health month, and the Muskingum Recreation Center wants you to get active.

According to the American Heart Association, living an active lifestyle is one of the best ways to avoid troubles with your heart. The health journal “Circulation” states that men with improved physical fitness experience a 19 percent decrease in risks of heart disease and stroke-related deaths. For women, that number is 15 percent.

“One of the top leading risk factors is a sedentary lifestyle,” Exercise Specialist, Meghan Green said. “But it’s also one that we can work on and fix and we’re in control of. Being active, incorporating exercise in your daily routine is very important.”

Green said the rec center encourages people to get out to the center to get active. And she added that if you’re not sure about getting out to the rec, there are several exercise professionals there to help.

“We have three exercise professionals on our exercise staff,” Green said. “We’re all qualified, we all have background in it, our education is in exercise science, health and fitness, so we’re always here if people need us.”

According to the AHA, regular exercise does more than just better your heart health. It also fosters improved muscular function and increases your body’s ability to process oxygen.