Take Charge of Your Heart Health

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Prevention

Explore topics that can help you prevent or manage heart disease.

Lean Into Stretch Exercises

Jan 5, 2021

Whether you’ve done stretching routines as an athlete or you’re a complete starter, these three stretching exercises may be beneficial to your heart health. Follow the steps below for each exercise for proper execution.

stretch-chest-250x1501. Chest Stretch – this exercise mainly targets your chest, arms and upper back.

  • Place your palms at the back of your head.
  • Stretch your elbows back while squeezing with your upper back. You should feel a stretch on your chest near the underarms.
  • Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
  • Repeat this exercise once per set.

Watch Video

stretch-shoulder-roll-250x1502. Shoulder Roll – this exercise mainly targets your shoulders and upper back.

  • Lift your shoulders up toward your ears. You can lift both simultaneously or do it one shoulder at a time.
  • Then, in a circular motion, slowly move your shoulders down and backwards.
  • Repeat this exercise 5-10 times per set.

Watch Video

stretch-toe-touch-250x1503. Toe Touch – this exercise mainly targets your calves, back and arms.

  • Place your right leg on a railing or a chair.
  • Keep your left leg straight to achieve a 90-degree angle with your other leg.
  • Lean forward, then touch the toes of your right leg. Avoid bouncing.
  • Switch legs and do the same stretching process.
  • Repeat this exercise 1-2 times per set.

Watch Video

Exercises courtesy of the American Heart Association

Source:
American Heart Association

Recipes

Eating heart healthy can be delightfully delicious. See our hand-picked recipes from the American Heart Association.

Lean Into Stretch Exercises

Jan 5, 2021

Whether you’ve done stretching routines as an athlete or you’re a complete starter, these three stretching exercises may be beneficial to your heart health. Follow the steps below for each exercise for proper execution.

stretch-chest-250x1501. Chest Stretch – this exercise mainly targets your chest, arms and upper back.

  • Place your palms at the back of your head.
  • Stretch your elbows back while squeezing with your upper back. You should feel a stretch on your chest near the underarms.
  • Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
  • Repeat this exercise once per set.

Watch Video

stretch-shoulder-roll-250x1502. Shoulder Roll – this exercise mainly targets your shoulders and upper back.

  • Lift your shoulders up toward your ears. You can lift both simultaneously or do it one shoulder at a time.
  • Then, in a circular motion, slowly move your shoulders down and backwards.
  • Repeat this exercise 5-10 times per set.

Watch Video

stretch-toe-touch-250x1503. Toe Touch – this exercise mainly targets your calves, back and arms.

  • Place your right leg on a railing or a chair.
  • Keep your left leg straight to achieve a 90-degree angle with your other leg.
  • Lean forward, then touch the toes of your right leg. Avoid bouncing.
  • Switch legs and do the same stretching process.
  • Repeat this exercise 1-2 times per set.

Watch Video

Exercises courtesy of the American Heart Association

Source:
American Heart Association

Exercises

Keep exercise interesting by varying your workouts. Watch our videos for the correct how-to for each move.

Lean Into Stretch Exercises

Jan 5, 2021

Whether you’ve done stretching routines as an athlete or you’re a complete starter, these three stretching exercises may be beneficial to your heart health. Follow the steps below for each exercise for proper execution.

stretch-chest-250x1501. Chest Stretch – this exercise mainly targets your chest, arms and upper back.

  • Place your palms at the back of your head.
  • Stretch your elbows back while squeezing with your upper back. You should feel a stretch on your chest near the underarms.
  • Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
  • Repeat this exercise once per set.

Watch Video

stretch-shoulder-roll-250x1502. Shoulder Roll – this exercise mainly targets your shoulders and upper back.

  • Lift your shoulders up toward your ears. You can lift both simultaneously or do it one shoulder at a time.
  • Then, in a circular motion, slowly move your shoulders down and backwards.
  • Repeat this exercise 5-10 times per set.

Watch Video

stretch-toe-touch-250x1503. Toe Touch – this exercise mainly targets your calves, back and arms.

  • Place your right leg on a railing or a chair.
  • Keep your left leg straight to achieve a 90-degree angle with your other leg.
  • Lean forward, then touch the toes of your right leg. Avoid bouncing.
  • Switch legs and do the same stretching process.
  • Repeat this exercise 1-2 times per set.

Watch Video

Exercises courtesy of the American Heart Association

Source:
American Heart Association

Risks

Sometimes being proactive means knowing what to watch out for or avoid.

Lean Into Stretch Exercises

Jan 5, 2021

Whether you’ve done stretching routines as an athlete or you’re a complete starter, these three stretching exercises may be beneficial to your heart health. Follow the steps below for each exercise for proper execution.

stretch-chest-250x1501. Chest Stretch – this exercise mainly targets your chest, arms and upper back.

  • Place your palms at the back of your head.
  • Stretch your elbows back while squeezing with your upper back. You should feel a stretch on your chest near the underarms.
  • Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
  • Repeat this exercise once per set.

Watch Video

stretch-shoulder-roll-250x1502. Shoulder Roll – this exercise mainly targets your shoulders and upper back.

  • Lift your shoulders up toward your ears. You can lift both simultaneously or do it one shoulder at a time.
  • Then, in a circular motion, slowly move your shoulders down and backwards.
  • Repeat this exercise 5-10 times per set.

Watch Video

stretch-toe-touch-250x1503. Toe Touch – this exercise mainly targets your calves, back and arms.

  • Place your right leg on a railing or a chair.
  • Keep your left leg straight to achieve a 90-degree angle with your other leg.
  • Lean forward, then touch the toes of your right leg. Avoid bouncing.
  • Switch legs and do the same stretching process.
  • Repeat this exercise 1-2 times per set.

Watch Video

Exercises courtesy of the American Heart Association

Source:
American Heart Association

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