Exercising your arms can offer a number of benefits for overall cardiovascular health when it comes to living with a heart murmur. A heart murmur is an extra or abnormal sound heard through a stethoscope during a physical exam. It’s typically an indication of turbulent blood flow through the heart and it is usually harmless, but it still requires continual monitoring.

There are various types of exercises one can do to help reduce the risks associated with a heart murmur. Forearm exercises, specifically, offer a number of positive benefits for individuals with heart murmurs. Forearm exercises generally involve lifting and rotating the forearm muscles to help maintain strength in that area while also increasing heart rate. Additionally, arm exercises can improve circulation throughout the body and are generally low impact.

Arm exercises can help with joint flexibility, increase range of motion and decrease the discomfort associated with many forms of arthritis, which are all side effects of a heart murmur. Regular forearm exercises can improve coordination, which helps individuals with a heart murmur to perform everyday tasks such as opening jars and lifting objects.

Not only can arm exercises help reduce the risks of a heart murmur, but they can also be beneficial for overall cardiorespiratory endurance. Research has found that regular forearm exercises can improve coordination of breathing and heart contractions, as well as reduce the chances of a person getting fatigued quickly when exercising.

Arm exercises, when done correctly, can also provide many psychological benefits in people with a heart murmur. Feeling confident in one’s physical range of motion can be especially beneficial for individuals with a heart murmur as it can help ease the stress and anxieties that can come with living with a condition.

Overall, arm exercises can provide many positive benefits for individuals with a heart murmur. Regular forearm exercises can improve joint flexibility, help with coordination and can also offer psychological benefits. It’s important to remember to always consult a doctor prior to starting any exercise program, as it’s possible to worsen a heart murmur if done incorrectly.