Why exercise is good for your heart

"You haven't been taking good care of yourself. Your cholesterol's too high and so is your blood pressure. You're at risk of a heart attack. Or maybe you've already had a heart attack. You know you need to change your diet, stop smoking and start exercising. But what exactly is it that exercise can do for your heart and how should you begin? Whether you've had a heart attack or are headed for one, exercise can prevent the progression of heart disease and lower your risk of a first or second heart attack, say experts. If you already have suffered a heart attack, no amount of exercise will bring back your damaged heart muscle. But exercising can strengthen the remaining heart muscle, or myocardium, and help the rest of your body function more efficiently, thereby reducing stress on your heart. "The key really is secondary prevention after a heart attack. You are making sure the rest of your myocardium is viable and working well. You want to focus on risk-factor reduction," said Vickie Asaro, manager of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation for Borgess Medical Center." - mlive.com