Why Weight Lifting Is Good for Your Heart

Key Points:

• Aerobic exercise has long been known to improve cardiovascular health, but recent research shows that resistance training also significantly benefits heart health, even without aerobic activity.
• A study of over 117,000 women aged 48 to 66 found that those who did two or more hours of resistance training weekly had a 20% lower risk of major cardiovascular disease and a 44% lower risk of myocardial infarction compared to those who did no strength training.
• Each additional hour of strength training was associated with a 5% further reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, according to Dr. Meagan Wasfy from Mass General Brigham Heart & Vascular Institute.
• Experts recommend that individuals, especially those over 60, prioritize strength training alongside walking, with strength training being the top exercise for its combined benefits to bones, muscles, and heart health.
• Similar cardiovascular benefits of resistance training have been observed in studies including both men and women, reinforcing the importance of strength training in aging populations.