Three Hours Of Vigorous Exercise A Week Lowers Heart Risk 22 Percent

It sounds as unlikely as claims that toning shoes will shape your butt, but this assertion has the backing of researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health: Just three hours of vigorous exercise a week can lower a man’s risk of heart attack by 22 percent. No word yet on what it can do for women. HealthDay reports that researchers at the school collected information on the exercise routines of more than 1,200 men, then analyzed the men’s cholesterol levels, as well as biomarkers of inflammation and insulin sensitivity. They found that, in addition to lowering the risk of heart attack by 22 percent, three hours of serious exercise — such as running, jogging, playing basketball or soccer — also boosts levels of good cholesterol and vitamin D. In fact, the researchers attributed 38 percent of the 22 percent risk reduction (got that?) to higher levels of good cholesterol. Read more in HealthDay. Read an abstract of the study here.