One of the most useful things that exercise can do for a person (and that’s saying a lot because exercise can do a lot of good things for a person) is to reduce their risk of developing heart disease. Heart disease is a growing epidemic in the western world. Over 600,000 Americans die each year due to complications from heart disease. That number expands massively if you include other western countries. This means that in America, around a quarter of all deaths can be attributed to heart disease. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways that exercise can help reduce your risk of becoming part of that statistic. In this article, you will learn why exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Exercise Reduces Your LDL Cholesterol Levels

LDL Cholesterol (the LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein) is probably one of the biggest contributors to heart disease. This is often referred to as the “bad cholesterol.” It’s the type of cholesterol you get from fatty, greasy foods. Simply put, this cholesterol is terrible for you and you need to keep your LDL cholesterol levels low. Thankfully, exercise can help you keep your LDL cholesterol levels in check, which in turn reduces your chances of developing heart disease, suffering strokes, etc.

It Raises Your HDL Cholesterol Levels

These acronyms are probably a bit confusing but bear with it for a second. HDL cholesterol is the opposite of LDL cholesterol. Whereas LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) is considered the “good” cholesterol. Having high levels of HDL cholesterol is actually good for you; it provides a variety of health benefits, including, but not limited to, a reduction in your chances of developing heart disease. Regular exercise actually increases your HDL cholesterol levels at the same time that it lowers your LDL cholesterol levels.

Exercise Reduces Your Stress Levels

Stress is one of those things that when it is present in excessive levels, it can start to cause serious health problems. Believe it or not, excessive stress can actually lead to heart disease. Thankfully, exercise is a great stress reliever.

Exercise Can Help You Manage Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the major factors that can contribute to heart disease. Now, obviously there are drugs that help people manage high blood pressure, but doctors also say that exercise can be just as effective as any drug when it comes to managing your blood pressure.