You already know the beneficial effects that exercise can have on the heart--it lowers cholesterol levels, it lowers your resting heart rate, and it opens up your blood vessels. Besides these long term effects, the body is affected for the short term as well. Your heart starts to reap the benefits of exercise from the very moment you begin.
Heart Rate
Increased heart rate actually begins before you even start exercising. Your body is anticipating increased movement, so it starts preparing due to anxiety. During exercise, your heart rate is increased by muscles needing more blood and oxygen, says the Sports Fitness Advisor. In order to meet the demands of the muscles, your heart must pump more blood into the body. This results in an increase in heart rate. To calculate your heart rate, place your index and middle fingers on the inside of the wrist and find a pulse. Once your pulse is located, count the beats for 10 seconds and multiply that number by six. This will give you your current heart rate.
Cardiac Output
According to the Sports Fitness Advisor, cardiac output refers to the amount of blood your heart pumps per minute out and is typically measured in liters. For the same reasons that your heart rate increases, your cardiac output is increased. The muscles are in need of more blood and oxygen when they're being rigorously used, so your heart pumps out the amount of blood that they're demanding; resulting in increased cardiac output.
Blood Pressure
The short term effect of exercise on blood pressure doesn't sound beneficial at first, but don't get confused because it's a lot more important than it sounds. During exercise your blood pressure increases, because your heart is working harder than it would during rest. According to MayoClinic.com, although, your blood pressure rises, your heart is getting stronger with each pump. The stronger your heart gets, the less it has to work to give the necessary blood and oxygen to your muscles. This ultimately leads to lower blood pressure overall.
