Exercise and Your Heart
A Guide to Physical Activity

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Table of Contents
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Foreword
Do we get enough exercise from our daily activities?
What are the benefits of regular physical activity?
Can physical activity reduce my chances of getting a heart attack?
Are there any risks in exercising?
Comparing the benefits and the risks
Should I consult a doctor before I start an exercise program?
What if I've had a heart attack?
Five common myths about exercise
How do different activities help my heart and lungs?
The key to success
How do I pace myself?
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

NIH Publication No. 93-1677
Revised August 1993

National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute