According to heart specialists, one form of exercise may be “better than” running, swimming or cycling. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are crucial for reducing harmful cholesterol levels.
Those with high cholesterol are often advised to make significant dietary changes to manage the condition. Many also end up on medication, like statins, to help manage the issue long-term – but exercise is just as important.
The NHS suggests that most people should try various exercises to achieve around 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of physical activity per week. This doesn’t necessarily mean hitting the gym, as there are numerous forms of exercise available.
When choosing an exercise routine, it’s important to consider personal physical ability and enjoyment. Ideally, you should find an activity you enjoy so that exercising doesn’t feel like a chore.
The health service recommends walking, swimming, and cycling as good starting points. However, there’s one type of exercise that could be so enjoyable, it hardly feels like working out at all, reports Surrey Live.
Experts from the Cardiovascular Health Clinic suggest that dancing could be an excellent way to boost heart health. Dr Dwayne Schmidt, a specialist in cardiovascular disease, said: “Your heart is a muscle, just like any other in your body, so it benefits from exercise just like any other muscle.
“By getting just 20-30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise, you can improve your heart’s ability to function and dramatically reduce your risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease.”
A twirl on the dance floor or in your living room might be just what the doctor ordered to boost your heart health. Dancing is not only a joyous way to break a sweat, but it also won’t exhaust you like an intense gym session might.
Dancing has been hailed for its positive effects on your lipid profile; an important measure heart specialists use to assess the fats in your bloodstream. As an aerobic activity, dancing could raise the levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol while keeping in check or even reducing the “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This type is notorious for contributing to plaque accumulation in arteries, which can trigger heart disease.
According to the Health Clinic website: “Because it involves movement in all directions and lots of accelerating and decelerating, dancing for cardio can burn up to 300 calories every half-hour, which is more than running, swimming or cycling at a moderate pace. The dopamine and endorphins released while dancing can help improve mood, mental clarity and emotional health.”
Besides being an exceptional calorie burner and fitness enhancer, dancing is an invaluable method for those grappling with high cholesterol. Dozens of doctors advocate for its long-term benefits, especially its power to manage body weight and lower the chances of cholesterol levels surging.
The NHS states you’re more likely to get high cholesterol if you’re over 50, a man, you’ve been through the menopause, or you’re of South Asian or sub-Saharan African origin. It can also run in families.
You can only find out if you have high cholesterol from a blood test. Speak to your GP about getting a test done if you are concerned about your health.