Physical inactivity leads to cardiac problems in women above 30 years of age, a new study shows.
Researchers at the University of Queensland conducted the study on 32,000 women. They were divided into three age groups: 22 to 27; 47 to 52; and 73 to 78. The researchers followed the women for 12 years. The participants were asked questions related to their health.
The findings revealed that smoking was the major risk for heart disease among women below 30 years of age. However, those who were above 30 had greater risk of heart ailments due to sedentary lifestyle. Researchers found that for those aged between 22 and 27, eliminating smoking as a part of their lifestyle would prevent nearly 60 percent of heart disease cases.
Researchers also said that those in the middle-aged group could prevent 33 percent of heart diseases by being physically more active and 24 percent of older women could avoid the risk by exercising.
"We need a lot more effort to keep middle-aged women active and then keep them active into old age," professor Wendy Brown of the Queensland University's center for research on exercise, physical activity and health, said, reports BBC News. "If you can do at least 30 minutes and preferably 45 minutes a day, you'll see huge improvements in your health and reduce your risk of heart disease by half."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity can helps maintain weight and reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. It can also enhance mental health.
