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Any amount of exercise is better than none. But at least 20 minutes of daily physical activity could be the sweet spot for avoiding cardiovascular problems at age 70, according to an observational study from Italy, published online February 14, 2022 by the journal Heart. The study included nearly 2,800 people aged 65 and older who were followed for more than 20 years. People who did 20 to 40 minutes a day of moderate-intensity activity (such as brisk walking) or vigorous-intensity activity (such as gardening, working out at a gym, bicycling, dancing, or swimming) had fewer heart attacks and cardiovascular complications. problems and a lower risk of premature death, compared to people who were not physically active. And among men, at least 20 minutes of daily exercise was associated with a 52% lower risk of cardiovascular problems, compared to people who did not exercise. The greatest benefits were seen among men aged 70 to 75 years. Because the study is observational, it doesn’t conclusively prove that exercise prevents heart disease. However, many studies have shown that moderate to vigorous intensity exercise helps protect the heart and brain; helps prevent diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases; and reduces the risk of premature death.
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