PEWAUKEE, Wis. — Heart disease, type 2 diabetes and different types of cancers are linked to living an inactive lifestyle, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). 


What You Need To Know

  • The American Heart Association encourages 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week for cardiovascular health

  • Cindy Milgram prioritizes daily movement after having open heart surgery in 2021

  • AHA reports that heart disease, type 2 diabetes and different types of cancers are linked to living an inactive lifestyle

  • AHA said the easiest way for someone to get moving and improve their health is to start walking

AHA said the easiest way for someone to get moving and improve their health is to start walking. This is something Cindy Milgram does often, even after open heart surgery.

“Working out indefinitely is a mental release,” Milgram said. “It’s relaxing; it allows you to focus and stay mindful on taking care of your body, listening to your body and doing what you need to stay heart healthy.” 

Since she lives an active lifestyle, Milgram was shocked in 2021 to find out she had a heart murmur.

“I was completely asymptomatic,” Milgram said. “I was going in for an annual physical. A physical that was a year later than I would have liked, but because of COVID, I did not go in.” 

She had open heart surgery to repair a leaky mitral valve.

“I was out for about six weeks,” Milgram said. “Then I had cardiac rehab, which most women don’t get prescribed. When they do, we encourage that because it’s what helped me return to a normal lifestyle.” 

Maddie Goetsch is the fitness coordinator at ProHealth West Wood Health and Fitness Center. She said the current exercise guidelines for cardiovascular health are 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week and 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. 

“It doesn’t have to be vigorous to get started, maybe just amp up the minutes a bit,” Goetsch said. “Any piece of equipment that’s getting your heart rate up. You think stair climber for those very advanced people. Even just treadmill, seated bike for my knee replacement folks. Anything that gets your heart rate elevated.” 

While exercise is nothing new for Milgram, she now realizes how important it is to live a heart-healthy life. 

Now, she’s on the board for AHA.

“Eating a heart-healthy diet or a healthy diet and being able to workout every day, exercising, even just walking 30 minutes a day makes all the difference,” Milgram said. “Most of cardiovascular disease can be prevented if you take care of your health at an early age.”