Heart risk lessens with more exercise

Boston -- In a study of more than 27,000 U.S. women, the risk of cardiovascular disease events decreased with higher levels of physical activity.

The women, part of the Women's Health Study, ranged in age from 45 to 90 were assessed for a risk factors and different levels of exercise.

Lead author Dr. Samia Mora of the Harvard Medical School said there was a 40 percent reduction in heart attack and stroke between the highest and lowest exercise groups.

The study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, found the risk of cardiovascular disease events decreased with higher levels of physical activity compared to the control group.

The long-term benefits of exercise start at a relatively low level -- equivalent to about two hours of physical activity per week -- but those who exercised the most -- greater than five hours of moderately intense physical activity such as brisk walking per week -- reduced their heart risk the most.

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