Take As Directed

Exercise as a prescription for heart health  

By Cynthia Parnell, UVA Club Red Clinic exercise physiologist 

What if there was one prescription that you could take to prevent and treat dozens of diseases? Well, there is and it’s called exercise! 

Exercise is not just about losing weight and looking good; it’s about being healthy and staying healthy. It almost seems too good to be true. But study after study proves the benefits of regular physical activity for both the prevention, and treatment of, many chronic diseases. 

Here’s what exercise can do for your health (and this is only the short list). 

1. Reduce your chance of developing heart disease. 
2. Reduce your risk of dying from heart disease if you already have it. 
3. Reduce your risk of developing hypertension and diabetes.  
4. Reduce your risk for some types of cancer.  
5. Improve your mood and mental functioning.  
6. Keep your bones strong and joints healthy and decrease musculoskeletal pain  
7. Help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. 
8. Reduce your risk for falls and help maintain independent living.   

Get a dose of 30 minutes/day

However, despite the abundance of evidence and public health recommendations, millions of Americans aren’t moving enough to meet the “dose” necessary for good health. The good news is, no matter what your physical condition, you can become more active and start feeling better. Read more about starting a fitness routine.

So at your next doctor’s visit, ask for this prescription: “30 minutes moderate exercise daily”.  And ask your doctor about the best type of exercise for you. Because exercise really is medicine; it’s the one thing you can do for yourself every day to improve your health, prevent depression, relieve depression and improve your overall quality of life. 

Exercise is Medicine™ is a joint initiative by the American College of Sports Medicine and American Medical Association.