Swimming can strengthen our heart

Swimming is good for our heart.

Coronary disease is as much a threat to women as to men. Women may think of it as a man's disease but it is an equal opportunity killer and nearly 117,000 men and women die from it in the UK each year.

This means on average 320 people die from a heart attack each day - one person every 4½ minutes.

Swimming for at least 30 minutes four or five times a week will strengthen your heart and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Dynamic exercise that does not raise the heart rate - such as lifting weights - may make you look good but will not help the heart.