How Swimming Helps to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

Steven Darien

As the chief executive officer of the Cabot Advisory Group, Steven Darien has provided strategic human resources management to clients across the country for over two decades. In his spare time, Steven Darien enjoys swimming.

Regular swimming decreases your chances of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), which encompasses all conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Swimming reduces occurrences of CVD by working the heart and lungs. It trains the body to use oxygen efficiently, leading to a decline in breathing rates and resting heart rates. In addition, it reduces dangerous cholesterol like low-density lipoproteins while raising good cholesterol levels. Furthermore, swimming works the limbs and all muscles in between, boosting metabolism while improving muscle strength and overall flexibility.

For older adults and people with chronic conditions such as arthritis, swimming is particularly recommended in place of walking or jogging, as it is better for the heart and softer on the joints and muscles, reducing the chances of injury.