Exercise & Your heart: Why Women May Benefit More Than Men
Recent research reveals compelling insights into how physical activity impacts cardiovascular health, specifically highlighting potential differences between men and women. A large-scale study, leveraging data from UK Biobank project, underscores importance of regular exercise for everyone, but suggests women may experience a greater protective effect. Let’s delve into findings and what they mean for your health.
Understanding Study Findings
Researchers analyzed data from over 80,000 individuals without existing heart disease. They discovered significant benefits for both sexes achieving at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly.
* Women who met this target experienced a 22% lower risk of developing heart disease over eight years.
* Men saw a 17% reduction in risk with same level of activity.
Interestingly, further analysis showed women could achieve an even greater benefit – a 30% risk reduction – by increasing exercise to 250 minutes per week. Men needed a considerably higher 530 minutes to reach comparable results.
Impact on those With Existing Heart Disease
Perhaps most striking were results from over 5,000 participants already diagnosed with coronary heart disease. Hear, researchers found women who met exercise guidelines had a three times lower risk of death during follow-up period compared to similarly active men. This suggests exercise plays a particularly crucial role in managing existing heart conditions for women.
Why This Difference?
It remains unclear exactly why exercise appears to offer greater benefits to women. Scientists are exploring several potential factors, including:
* Hormonal differences: Variations in sex hormones may influence cardiovascular response to exercise.
* Muscle fiber composition: Differences in muscle fiber types between sexes could impact exercise benefits.
* Energy metabolism: Women and men may process energy differently during physical activity.
What Does This Mean For You?
Regardless of sex,regular physical activity is undeniably vital for cardiovascular health. Though, these findings suggest women may need to prioritize exercise to maximize benefits. Prof Yan Wang, a senior author on study, emphasizes that both sexes can achieve “significant cardiovascular benefits” through activity.
It’s also crucial to note that globally,more women than men currently fail to meet recommended physical activity levels. Encouraging increased activity among women could have a significant impact on reducing cardiovascular risk.
A Call for Personalized Approaches
Dr. Emily Lau, a women’s cardiovascular health specialist, highlights need for sex-specific strategies in cardiovascular care.She argues that “one size does not fit all” and calls for tailored interventions to optimize heart health for women.
This research reinforces importance of considering individual needs and tailoring exercise recommendations accordingly.
Taking Action for Your Heart
Don’t wait – start incorporating regular physical activity into your routine today. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine an exercise plan that’s right for you,considering your individual health status and goals. Remember, even small changes can make a big difference in protecting your heart.
Further Reading:
* Original Research Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44161-025-00734-x
* Related article: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/sep/17/new-ai-tool-can-predict-a-persons-risk-of-more-than-1000-diseases-say-experts
