Daily steps and exercise related to lowering heart disease risk in women with a history of cancer

For postmenopausal women struggling with cancer, pairing sneakers and moving more people every day can be a powerful way to protect their hearts. New research published in the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiac Metabolic Health Sciences Course 2025 shows that increasing daily step counts and engaging in moderate to intense physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death.

According to the study, women who recorded at least one hour a day of moderate to weak physical exercise saw 60% lower risk of cardiovascular-related death. The increase in daily exercise is even smaller: every 2500 steps per day is related to 34% reduction At risk of cardiovascular mortality.

Physical exercise: the habit of extending life

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in cancer survivors, partly due to the lasting effects of chemotherapy and radiation on the heart. The American Heart Association has long emphasized that exercise is a key component of heart health, and this study adds to growing evidence that even a small increase in exercise can make a big difference.

Lead author Eric Hyde (Ph.D.

This study is close to 2,500 postmenopausal womenAges 63 to 99 are diagnosed with breast cancer or other cancers at least one year before admission. Participants wore an accelerometer up to a week, a hip-mounted device tracking movement, providing researchers with detailed insights into their daily level of activity.

Step by step: The power of daily exercise

One of the most notable findings of the study is the significant health benefits of well below the commonly cited threshold of 10,000 steps per day. Average woman 5,000 and 6,000 steps per day There is one Reduce the risk of dying for any reason by 40%. The researchers found a clear dose-response relationship: the more steps the participant took, the lower her risk of death.

“When participants walk less than 5,000 steps a day, it’s even obvious to reduce the risk,” Hyde noted. “The steps of the day are an important measure because they are easy to understand by the public, can be at any intensity level and documented on wearable devices such as smartwatches that are increasingly worn.”

Hidden Risk: Sit too much

Although increasing exercise is associated with better survival, excessive sitting poses serious risks. Research findings Sit for another 102 minutes a day and Increased by 12% All-cause mortality risk and 30% higher risk Died from cardiovascular disease.

Keith Diaz, a behavioral medicine expert at Columbia University Medical Center, was not involved in the study, highlighting the importance of reducing sedentary time. “Now, many adults sit most of the time, and for cancer survivors, this problem may be more obvious due to physical losses in cancer treatment and recovery,” Diaz said. “These findings add to the growing evidence that sitting for a long time is a significant health risk and we must actively fight, especially after the cancer diagnosis.”

Looking to the future

Despite the convincing findings, the researchers acknowledge some limitations. The study did not track changes in physical exercise over time, nor did it indicate the stage of cancer that was diagnosed or received a specific treatment. Future research can provide more in-depth insight into how exercise patterns develop before, during and after cancer treatment.

Nevertheless, the news of taking home is obvious: Every step is important. For cancer survivors, even daily exercises through walking, gardening or other activities can be an easy-to-use way to improve heart health and longevity.

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