Walk to a Longer Life

Q. I know I need to exercise regularly, but I just hate going to the gym. Can I really exercise enough at home to see a benefit for my heart?

A. The AHA has a great walking program called Start!, a groundbreaking, national movement that calls on Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives.
           
It’s shocking, but 70 percent of Americans don’t get enough exercise, blaming lack of time and motivation. Ignoring fitness and health increases your chances of getting heart disease and having a stroke.
           
You don’t need to go to a gym to exercise. Brisk walking for as little as 30 minutes a day has proven heart-health benefits. And research shows that for every hour of regular exercise, you can receive two hours of additional life expectancy!
           
For more information on Start!, visit americanheart.org/start. You will receive access to a personal online fitness tracker.

Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., is director of nuclear cardiology and associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University. She’s also a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.