Compared to men, women need about half the exercise time per week to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research.
Led by scientists at several medical schools and universities in China, the study analyzed data on more than 85,000 individuals regarding their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and heart health. Some 80,000 participants did not have cardiovascular issues, while the remaining participants did have coronary heart disease (CHD).
Although the American Heart Association, the European Society of Cardiology, and the World Health Organization all recommend 150 minutes of MVPA per week for everyone, the study authors found notable gender differences in these guidelines’ impact on cardiovascular health. Among participants who adhered to the 150 minutes per week guidelines, women showed a 22 percent lower CHD risk, while men showed a 17 percent lower CHD risk. Furthermore, to achieve a 30 percent reduction in CHD risk, women participants only needed 250 minutes of MVPA per week, while men needed an average of 530 minutes of MVPA per week for the same benefit.
The authors note that a persistent gender gap exists in exercise, where women tend to participate in less physical activity than men. Based on their findings, the authors call on health organizations to implement sex-specific tailored guidelines for physical activity and to encourage more women to engage in exercise.