Cardiovascular exercise is also known as aerobic exercise. It is exercise that increases your heart rate and blood flow, and makes you breathe a little more heavily than you would when performing your daily tasks. There are numerous benefits, some you may notice, and some you may not. The benefits you may notice include increased ease of accomplishing your activities of daily living and such things as getting in and out of the car, or going from place to place, and an improved mood. Benefits you may not notice include lower blood pressure levels, improved blood cholesterol levels, and lower blood sugar levels to name a few.

What types of exercises are considered cardiovascular exercise?

Swimming, biking, and walking are examples of cardiovascular exercise. Machines such as the elliptical machines (low impact equipment that combines the movements of walking and stair climbing), stair climbing machines, rowing machines and a machine called the NuStep are also useful for cardiovascular or aerobic exercises. Swimming may be the best exercise for polio survivors because it minimizes mechanical stress on the body. However, you may not have access to a pool, or may not enjoy swimming. So, do what you enjoy, what feels good, and what is accessible.

At what intensity should aerobic exercise be performed?

Health professionals will usually recommend a moderate or low intensity. This means that you should be exercising at a level where your heart rate increases and you are breathing heavier than you would normally (when you are performing your daily tasks.) If you cannot easily carry on a conversation, slow it down!