Get Moving for the Sake of Your Heart

Studies have shown that a majority of U.S. adults fail to get adequate amounts of exercise, or a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity per day. In a new study, researchers find that the consequences of that lack of fitness may be especially dire for adult women. According to research conducted by the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, even women who are otherwise healthy experience significantly reduced heart health than their peers if they fail to engage in regular exercise and physical activity. Researchers tracked data from nearly 30,000 women nationwide, finding that those who lived sedentary lifestyles were up to 50% more likely to suffer from the risk factors of heart disease, including high levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. The study also estimated that women nationwide are more likely to be overweight or obese than men.