Heart Beat

Regular exercise eases inflammation

A tough game of tennis, an afternoon uprooting a row of old hedge, or a brisk half-hour walk is enough to rev up inflammation through your body. Yet if you do these, or any exercise, routinely, you'll end up with less inflammation than the average person.

Exercise benefits your heart, and the rest of you, in many ways. It keeps blood vessels flexible, which helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. It helps control weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It's good for your bones and moods. Best of all, people who exercise regularly tend to live longer than those who don't.