The finding about high-volume activity being harmful "will require confirmation in a further study," said Dr. Gregg Fonarow, professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He reviewed the findings.
The new study did not include women, so the researchers can't say if the same benefit comes from exercise for them. However, Fonarow said, the findings echo those from another recent study. In that research, "the benefits were similar for women and men, and by type of exercise," he said.
Keteyian said that the message is clear for reduction of heart failure risk. "Going for your 30-minute walk, at about four miles an hour," is what is shown to reduce heart failure risk, he explained.
"The majority of cases of heart failure are preventable," Fonarow added. Along with exercise, other healthy strategies include keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at normal levels, keeping a healthy body weight and not smoking, he said.