The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests completing 150 minutes or more of cardiovascular exercise weekly to build endurance and encourage good health. Walking, running, cycling, swimming and skating are examples of activities that build cardiovascular endurance by supplying your heart with the energy it needs to deliver oxygen to your muscles and organs. Cardiovascular endurance is the most important aspect of fitness because it serves as a barometer for the overall health of your heart.
Cardiovascular Health
Like all muscles, your heart adapts to the demands placed on it. When you perform cardiovascular exercises regularly, your heart becomes stronger and more efficient at pumping blood to the organs that depend on a strong blood supply to function. When your heart is weak, its pumping ability diminishes, causing your organs to malfunction. Poor diet and lack of exercise are the primary reasons cardiovascular disease develops, and this potentially fatal disease can lead to high blood pressure and stroke. Building cardiovascular endurance dramatically decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Weight Control
Cardiovascular endurance allows you to get the most out of your workouts, which helps you to keep your weight under control. If your heart is weak, you’ll only be able to exercise for a short time before getting tired. By building cardiovascular endurance, you’ll have the energy to exercise at peak levels for prolonged periods and will burn more calories during workouts. If you are new to exercising, build cardiovascular endurance slowly to prevent sudden cardiac events such as a heart attack. Begin at a slow-to-moderate pace for 20 to 30 minutes each day, and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workout as your heart becomes stronger.
Disease Prevention
Cardiovascular exercise helps to prevent obesity, which lowers your risk of developing a variety of ailments. Visceral fat, which lies within your abdominal cavity and cushions your vital organs, is the cause of many diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. Building cardiovascular endurance is the quickest way to get rid of visceral fat and avoid these and other preventable illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being physically active also reduces your risk of developing breast cancer and prostate cancer -- another important reason to get moving.
Psychological Benefits
Regular aerobic exercise can boost your mood, ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, reduce tension and promote relaxation, according to MayoClinic.com. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that physical activities can also enhance your thinking and judgment skills and improve your quality of sleep. Having the energy and stamina to engage in physical activities and the ability to keep your weight under control will boost your confidence, which is also psychologically beneficial. Looking and feeling healthy also improves your overall outlook on life.
