It's important to remember that the heart is a muscle. In fact, it's the hardest working muscle in your body. Every single minute, it circulates the ENTIRE volume of your blood (5L) out through your body and back. That means it pumps out about 2,000 gallons of blood a day!
Just like any muscle, the heart gets stronger and more efficient with exercise. The American Heart Association recommends getting 150 minutes of physical activity per week (that's only 21 minutes per day!) - especially aerobic activity, which improves circulation. Some examples are walking, running, cycling, rowing, kickboxing, dancing, water aerobics, or even gardening. All that matters is that you choose something that not only gets your heart rate up but also brings your heart joy. We, personally, love going for a hike in the colorful Colorado Rockies...especially with a friend.
Some of our favorite local trails are Horsetooth Mountain, Coyote Ridge, Round Mountain, Gem Lake, Bear Lake and just about anything in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want to head a little further, toward Boulder, we also love the Flat Irons and Red Rocks Trail at Settlers Park.
