Final answer:
Regular physical activity is proven to reduce resting heart rate by making the heart more efficient, contributing to decreased cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and enhancing overall heart and vascular health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regular exercise and/or physical activity can lead to a reduction in your resting heart rate. This statement is true. Engaging in consistent physical activity brings numerous benefits to cardiovascular health. One of these benefits includes an adaptation whereby the heart becomes more efficient, resulting in a lower resting heart rate. Notably, the heart of an athlete is larger than that of a nonathlete, which increases the stroke volume and enables the heart to pump the same amount of blood with fewer beats per minute. Hence, less effort is required from the heart for each beat, which contributes to a lower resting heart rate over time.
Exercise contributes to decreasing several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), and excess body weight. Furthermore, exercise increases high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), improves insulin sensitivity, and enhances exercise tolerance. It also reduces the overall cholesterol levels in the body by removing LDLs from circulation, which is beneficial as these are associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3-5 times a week. Studies indicate that even as little as 30 minutes of noncontinuous exercise throughout the day can drastically reduce the risk of heart attacks, highlighting the undeniable benefits of moderate exercise. Consequently, maintaining an active lifestyle is essential for promoting vascular homeostasis and overall health.