How leg workouts support heart health, cardiothoracic surgeon explains

If you regularly hit the gym to build muscle, you’ve likely encountered the infamous leg day – a workout many try to postpone or skip entirely.

The intense effort, sore muscles, and difficulty walking the next day often make leg workouts the least favorite part of a fitness routine.

However, skipping leg day means missing out on significant metabolic and cardiovascular benefits that extend beyond simply strengthening your legs.

Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with 25 years of experience, emphasizes the importance of strengthening leg muscles to help reduce the risk of heart attacks.

In an Instagram video shared on March 6, he highlighted the many cardiovascular and metabolic advantages of building leg strength.

Why leg day matters

Dr London explains that when people consider exercises that protect heart health, they usually think of cardio.

Yet, muscle mass plays a crucial role in overall health and longevity. Since the lower body contains the largest muscle groups, building leg strength is essential for improving both muscle mass and metabolic health.

He said, “When most people think about protecting their heart, they think cardio. However, muscle mass is a key predictor of overall health and longevity. Your lower body makes up the largest muscle group. So, if your goal is to build muscle and improve metabolic health, your legs deserve serious attention. And let’s be honest, most of us avoid leg day.”

Benefits of working your legs

According to Dr London, activating and strengthening leg muscles improves glucose control, helping the body regulate blood sugar more effectively and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases.

Strength training can also enhance your lipid profile, lower blood pressure, and reduce systemic inflammation.

Additionally, working large muscle groups increases nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels and supports overall vascular health.

He adds, “When you activate and grow muscle in the legs, you improve glucose control, helping your body manage blood sugars more effectively. That directly reduces risk for metabolic disease. Strength training also improves your lipid profile, can lower blood pressure, and reduce systemic inflammation. On top of that, working large muscle groups increases nitric oxide production, which helps blood vessels relax and improves overall vascular health. So, while leg day may be your least favorite, it’s doing something important behind the scenes. As Dr Gabrielle Lyon says, muscle is truly the organ of longevity.”