- New research suggests that adults who completed 560 to 610 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week had a more than 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease than inactive individuals.
- Current guidelines of 150 minutes of weekly exercise were linked to a more modest 8 to 9% reduction in cardiovascular risk.
- The findings suggest that those with lower cardiorespiratory fitness appeared to need more weekly exercise than fitter individuals to achieve the same heart health benefits.
- Researchers suggest future exercise recommendations may need to become more personalized, with separate targets for minimum health benefits versus optimal cardiovascular protection.
Regular exercise plays a
Cardiorespiratory fitness describes the ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to supply oxygen to the muscles during exercise. It can serve as a powerful, independent biomarker for heart health. It is improved through aerobic activities, such as walking, running, cycling, and swimming, which can help improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Current guidelines from the
However, this one-size-fits-all approach to exercise may not provide sufficient activity levels for all people, with a new study suggesting that some may need roughly four times higher weekly exercise than the current guidelines to achieve significant protection against heart attacks and stroke.
The findings, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, also propose personalized targets, suggesting that a person’s fitness level may influence how much exercise they need to gain cardiovascular benefits.
Team Health Accessible
Health & Wellness Editorial Team
HealthAccessible editorial team delivers trusted, accessible, and evidence-based health information for everyone.
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