No matter how much you pay attention to your diet for heart care, you are at risk of a heart attack if you do not exercise. Lack of exercise is the single worst risk factor for heart disease for both men and women, yet seven out of ten adults do not do enough.

The link between exercise and a healthy heart is well established. Exercise has been clinically shown to help prevent heart disease, as well as reduce the severity of existing heart disease. Because of its many benefits, exercise is strongly recommended by government health agencies and medical authorities, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Heart Association.

This does not mean you have to rush to your local gym: becoming just a little more active will make a real difference. Think of exercise in terms of everyday activity: the more you do the better your fitness and the lower your risk of heart disease.

There are many ways to obtain exercise, including walking, jogging, lifting weights, aerobics, swimming, yoga and many others. Studies have shown that cardiovascular benefits begin to accrue rapidly, even when people begin with just one exercise session a week. Many physicians recommend that patients get between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise, four to six times a week. It is important, that patients do not begin an exercise program on their own. Exercise programs should be initiated under the care of a physician.