Moderate Exercise May Reduce Men's Heart Failure Risk
But study also finds too much exercise raises the odds of heart trouble
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Men who get regular, moderate exercise, such as walking or cycling 20 minutes daily, seem to have a lower risk of heart failure than inactive men or those who have higher levels of activity, according to new research.
The researchers found that those who exercised by walking or cycling at least 20 minutes a day had a 21 percent lower risk of heart failure. Exercising more than an hour a week decreased risk by 14 percent, the study found.
The least-active group had a 69 percent higher risk for developing heart failure, while the highest-intensity group had a 31 percent higher risk of heart failure, the study revealed. There was no information on whether the high-intensity exercisers did marathons or other similar activities, said the study's lead author, Iffat Rahman.