Stretching for Heart Health

Stretching has often been seen as a means to increase flexibility, improve muscle strength and tone as well as improve breathing and reduce stress. However, some of the latest  research suggests that having greater flexibility may also increase arterial flexibility which may put you at lower risk for a heart attack and/or a stroke. The study suggests that those with poorer flexibility may have more rigid arterial walls which make the heart work harder to pump blood.

However, the study also points out that stiff arteries don’t necessarily indicate or inevitably lead to arterial disease. That being said, this just might be reason enough to check out that yoga class at the gym in the mornings before/after work, pick up a yoga DVD for home or start an office stretching regime at your desk.