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Unless we have lived in a bubble for the last couple of decades, we all know the importance of exercise for a healthy heart. With life expectancies becoming longer, something does indeed seem to be working.

If you enjoy participating in sports, many of them provide an excellent way to get some of that exercise that is so beneficial to keeping your heart healthy. Even some of the less strenuous sports will provide a good workout but the more moving, running, etc. that is done, the more benefits you will be getting.

So why is getting exercise so vital to good health? Before answering that question, I need to say that prior to starting any exercise regimen, even if it is participating in a sport you haven't been regularly playing, it is imperative to discuss it with your doctor. You really need to have his or her thoughts on the kind of exercise routine you should be participating in, so do not skip this step.

Getting enough exercise (in this case the kind you will get while participating in a sport) while you are also eating a heart healthy diet is one of the ways we can help to prevent heart disease. It is a big problem and actually the biggest cause of death in this country.

Getting exercise can also keep your cholesterol levels under control by not only lowering the bad kind of cholesterol, but by helping with the good, too. Exercise helps the heart to stay strong, helps with cholesterol levels, and it also may lower your blood pressure which is always a good thing.

If you don't participate in your chosen sport often, you will need to have a regular exercise routine as well. This can be covered with aerobics, a treadmill, doing a routine with one of the many exercise videos that are available, or any other schedule you wish to follow. The important thing is to do just that . . . follow a routine. Stick with it and it will become something that you might actually look forward to doing every day. Make it a higher priority than other things you do and that way there won't be an excuse to skip your exercise routine on any given day.

So what kind of sport would you like to be part of? Many communities have baseball and softball leagues that anyone can join. If there is a sports complex or YMCA, you will be able to find things such as swimming or volleyball to try out. Track and Field is also an excellent form of exercise. If there is no complex or YMCA in your area, invite some friends and find out about using the local school's track or swimming pool.

If you are not used to exercise or sports, do a little reading on the net or at the library about various stretches you will need to be doing. After your workout, whether it is a sport or other forms of exercise, you will need to cool down as well as warm up. Know these things ahead of time to avoid injuries that didn't need to happen.

For a regular exercise routine and for maximum benefit to your heart, exercise between 30 and 60 minutes four or five times a week. Start with the bottom end, the 30 minutes, if you are not used to exercising. If you can just handle ten minutes to start, that is fine, too. Remember to drink liquids especially if you are doing outdoor sports.