Heart diseases affect women and men differently. This fact has been explored and understood by many different studies. A recent study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research shows that men have to work twice as hard to beat heart diseases than women. While previously, researchers have found that women are at a higher risk of dying from a heart disease. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, pointed out that a lot of it is due to doctors not taking gender and sex differences into account. The new study however, points that women may not need to exercise as much as men to gain significant protection against coronary heart disease. Why is there such a big difference in beating the odds for men and women? How Is Heart Health Different for Men and Women? The research comes from an observational study of over 85,000 UK adults tracked for about seven years using fitness tracker data. The research clearly shows that men and women need different amounts of exercise to keep their hearts safe. Women seem to get more "bang for their buck" when they exercise: For Preventing Heart Disease: Women who did about four hours of moderate exercise each week (think brisk walking) lowered their risk of getting heart disease by about 30%. Men on the other hand needed almost double that time—around eight hours a week—to get the same 30% protection! If You Already Have Heart Disease: The difference is even bigger here. Women who had previous heart problems saw their risk of death drop by three times compared to women who didn't exercise. In men with similar heart histories needed much more weekly exercise to get a similar life-saving benefit. In general, active women had a 5% greater reduction in heart disease risk than active men. This shows that being active is great for everyone, but women might have a slight natural advantage. What is Moderate Exercise? It's important to know what kind of exercise we're talking about. Moderate exercise is any activity that gets your heart pumping but doesn't make you feel totally wiped out. Examples include a brisk walk, gardening, or a fast bike ride. Vigorous exercise is when you push your body harder, causing a bigger jump in your heart rate. Think running, swimming laps, or hiking up a steep hill. The study confirms that any amount of activity is better than none for your heart. Researchers found a clear connection: the more you move, the lower your risk of heart disease and death. Do Hormones Affect Your Heart Health? Why do women get such a great benefit with less effort? The study authors point to two main reasons tied to the body's natural makeup: Hormones Women have higher levels of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is thought to help the body burn fat more effectively during exercise. This could be one reason why women see better heart benefits. Muscle Types Men tend to have more "fast-twitch" muscles, which are great for quick, powerful movements (like sprinting). Women usually have more "slow-twitch" muscles, which are better for endurance and working efficiently for longer periods. This more "efficient" muscle type might make workouts more beneficial for heart health in women. Should Doctors Tailor Treatment According To Gender? It's also crucial to know that heart disease affects men and women differently. Doctors point out that women often develop heart problems later in life and, sadly, are sometimes less likely to get the standard tests and care for heart issues that men receive. The findings suggest that public health advice should be personalized and recognize that men and women have different needs.The most important takeaway is this: Talk to your doctor before you start any new fitness plan. Your perfect exercise routine depends on your current health, fitness level, and any existing medical issues. There is no one-size-fits-all plan!
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