Personalised exercise targets could slash heart disease risk by 30%

A new study suggests that personalised exercise targets could help optimise cardiovascular health. Researchers analysed data from over 17,000 participants to explore the link between physical activity and heart health. The findings highlight how tailored activity levels may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. The study tracked 17,088 UK Biobank participants for an average of eight years. During this period, 1,233 cardiovascular events occurred, including atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.

Results showed that more than nine hours of moderate to vigorous exercise per week reduced cardiovascular risk by over 30%. Meeting standard exercise guidelines offered some protection, but greater benefits came from higher activity levels. The relationship between exercise and protection was non-linear, meaning benefits increased more steeply at certain thresholds.

Individuals with lower baseline fitness needed more exercise to achieve the same benefits. For a 20% risk reduction, the least fit required around 370 minutes of activity weekly, while the fittest needed 340 minutes. The study also proposed using smartwatch or wearable data alongside traditional fitness tests to set customised exercise goals.

Advances in activity monitoring now allow for more precise tracking of physical activity. Clinicians may use this technology to refine exercise prescriptions and improve cardiovascular outcomes. The research supports the idea of personalised exercise plans for better heart health. Higher activity levels lead to greater risk reduction, but the required effort varies by fitness level. Incorporating wearable data could help tailor recommendations more effectively in clinical practice.