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@DFP
Regularly work at high intensity. Progressively make it harder.
It doesnt really matter what you do, find an activity that shoots your heart rate right up. This could be flat sprints, hill sprints, skipping rope, circuit training, barbell complexes, explosively throwing a sandbag in the air, sprinting on a bike, boxercise, zumba class etc...
Anything that gets it up. Will do.
Find a variable to increase each session. A good one is rest periods between "bouts" of whatever activity you are doing. It is also good to choose an activity you are already competent in. Dont go into the weight room for the first time trying to work on your heart rate. But if you already regularly lift weights (powercleans, squats etc, pull ups) these can be a good choice. Otherwise stick to running/bike work etc..
By reducing rest periods, you will be increasing the stress on your body forcing it to adapt. Your heart and lungs will need to work harder each time to keep up so changes will occur in efficiency, this may include a higher maximum heart rate but more importantly other stuff too like how well your body can use oxygen, your lactate threshold, lung capacity, breathing muscles, more mitochondria/organelles and shit in your muscles making them better at using energy.
If you do it right, you will find that your heart rate actually stays LOWER than it did before because your cardio-respiratory function is more efficient. This is what you want. You will still have a higher rate capacity for when you need it, and you will need to keep training at high intensities some of the time to maintain it.