Cardiovascular Benefits

Cardiovascular benefits to the arteries and blood. Even as an adolescent, you may already have some symptoms of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis (ath uh roh skluh ROH sus) is the accumulation of fat deposits on arterial walls. Because these fat deposits narrow the passageway, the heart has to work harder to pump blood though an artery. Cardiovascular endurance is helpful in preventing the buildup of these deposits.

Cardiovascular endurance also results in changing the ratio of HDLs to LDLs in the blood. A high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a substance in blood that prevents the formation of fatty deposits in arterial walls.

HDLs transport the extra fat in the blood to the liver to be removed from the body . A low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a substance in blood that is a factor in the formation of fatty deposits in arterial walls. You can help prevent atherosclerosis by increasing HDLs and lowering LDLs in your blood.

Research indicates that exercises that promote cardiovascular endurance can change the ratio of HDLs to LDLs. Exercises done for 30 to 40 minute a day tree times a week for seven to ten weeks will increase HDLs and lower LDLs.