560 to 610 minutes weekly exercise could significantly lower cardiovascular risk

Regular exercise plays a vital role in improving heart health by strengthening the heart muscle, helping it work more efficiently, and reducing the risk of heart conditions. 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 World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that adults complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Strength exercises are also recommended at least twice a week.

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 .