Research published in Nature Cardiovascular Research indicates that women may experience significantly greater heart health benefits from exercise compared to men. The study reveals that women adhering to recommended exercise guidelines could see a three-fold reduction in mortality risk from coronary heart diseases in contrast to their male counterparts.
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of illness and death across the globe. Current recommendations from prominent health organizations, including the World Health Organization, American Heart Association, and European Society of Cardiology, advocate for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week for all adults. These guidelines, however, do not account for the notable differences in exercise capacity observed between genders.
In a detailed analysis conducted by Jiajin Chen and his research team, data from the UK Biobank was examined, focusing on wrist-worn activity trackers from over 85,000 participants. The study specifically looked at sex differences in the relationship between physical activity and outcomes related to coronary heart disease.
Among the 80,243 participants who did not have coronary heart disease—comprising 45,986 females and 34,257 males—female participants who achieved the recommended exercise target saw a 22% reduction in their risk of developing the condition, compared to a 17% reduction in males.
Further insights from the research revealed that women could attain a 30% reduction in coronary heart disease risk by engaging in 250 minutes of physical activity weekly, while men would need to engage in 530 minutes to achieve a similar level of risk reduction.
The implications of these findings are significant. The analysis indicated that among participants with existing coronary heart disease—specifically 5,169 individuals, including 1,553 females and 3,616 males—adherence to the exercise guidelines was associated with a three-fold greater decrease in all-cause mortality risk for women compared to men.
These findings underscore the necessity for sex-specific recommendations in the prevention and management of coronary heart disease. Current guidelines may overlook important gender differences, suggesting that tailored strategies could enhance heart health outcomes for both men and women.
While the study provides compelling evidence, the researchers highlight the need for further investigation in more diverse populations to confirm these findings. This additional research could help refine recommendations and improve health strategies worldwide.
The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Fujian Provincial Health Technology Project, among other organizations, reflecting a collaborative effort to advance understanding in this critical area of health research.
