Here’s How Many Minutes Of Exercise You Need To Lower Your High Cholesterol – Health Digest

According to the American Heart Association, adults with high cholesterol are encouraged to get 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week as an effective means of lowering cholesterol. When breaking this down into daily chunks, this equates to 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. This can be achieved through walking, cycling, or swimming laps.

Some research shows, however, that people with high cholesterol may want to add a little more time to the clock. In a 2014 scientific review published in Sports Medicine, researchers did a deep dive into three different types of exercise and their effects on patient cholesterol levels. Specifically, they looked at aerobic exercise, resistance training, and combined aerobic and resistance training. The researchers also factored in intensity and duration in their analysis of each kind of workout.

Based on their findings, the study team issued their expert recommendations stating that individuals with high cholesterol looking to reduce LDL cholesterol, boost HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides should aim for more than 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. For older adults or people with disabilities, it is recommended to increase physical activity as much as is safely possible.