Benefits of Pickleball for Cardiovascular Health

Pickleball is a fun, easy-to-learn game whose popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. One reason for that rise is that while you enjoy some friendly competition, you also improve your health and fitness in many ways.

That includes improving your cardiovascular health. This article explains how pickleball benefits your heart and lungs.

What Is the Cardiovascular System?

The term “cardiovascular” refers to the heart, blood vessels and lungs. They’re considered a system because their functions are very interrelated. They work together to get oxygen into the body and transport it to the cells. The cardiovascular system also removes carbon dioxide from the body.

The efficiency with which the cardiovascular system does its job is an important measure of health. So, the fact that pickleball provides cardiovascular benefits is a point in its favor!

Key Cardiovascular Improvements From Playing Pickleball

When you play pickleball regularly, your body benefits in several ways, including:

• Increased heart strength. Like any muscle, your heart gets stronger when it has to work harder temporarily. Pickleball elevates your heart rate, strengthening your heart.
• Improved cardiovascular endurance. Playing pickleball enhances your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently and increases your stamina.
• Lower cholesterol. Like other types of aerobic exercise, pickleball can help lower your cholesterol.
• Lower blood pressure. Regular exercise can help those with high blood pressure bring their readings down to healthier levels.
• Reduced heart disease risk. The benefits above can combine to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Notably, the American Heart Association says that pickleball is good for people with heart conditions and can reduce the risk of recurrence with issues like heart attacks, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. However, it’s vital to talk with your healthcare provider before taking up pickleball or any sport. They can determine if you’re healthy enough to play.

Pickleball and Cardiovascular Health: Focus on Steady Improvement

Pickleball is a great sport for people looking to improve their heart and lung health. However, keep in mind that improvements won’t come overnight. It takes time and consistent effort for exercise to produce cardiovascular health benefits.

In their eagerness to capitalize on those benefits, some people jump into the sport too quickly. The intensity and duration of their pickleball sessions are too high, and they find themselves exhausted or injured.

A better approach is to ease into the game, playing at a lower intensity for shorter periods. Then, as your fitness improves, you can spend more time on the court playing harder.

And, of course, starting slowly doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the social benefits of pickleball. When you’re not playing, you can observe other players’ techniques, ponder strategies and just enjoy the fun environment.

Talk With Your Provider About Pickleball and Cardiovascular Health

Interested in trying pickleball? Talk with your healthcare provider about whether the sport is right for you. If there isn’t a reason you should refrain from playing, your provider will likely encourage you to get out there and dink, lob and drive!

Need to connect with a Baptist Health provider? Our online directory is a helpful resource.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

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