Health and Me

Riya Baibhawi

Female Cancer Survivors Reduced Their Risk Of Heart Attack With This Simple Trick-You Can Do It Too

Female <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span> survivors who engage in regular <span>walking</span> and physical activity face a significantly lower risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new study. Findings presented at an American Heart Association (AHA) meeting in New Orleans suggest that one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day reduces the overall risk of death by 40% and the risk of dying from heart disease by 60%.

Similarly, researchers found that adding just 2,500 extra steps daily was linked to a 34% drop in the risk of heart disease-related death. "Encouraging cancer survivors to be more active, sit less and take more steps every day could be a feasible approach for prolonging survivorship and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality," said lead investigator Eric Hyde, a research analyst at the University of California-San Diego, in a news release.

Physical activity is a cornerstone of Life’s Essential 8 — the AHA's key health behaviors and factors supporting optimal heart health. The association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, such as walking or gardening, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, such as running or swimming, each week. A mix of both is also beneficial.

The AHA noted that cancer survivors face a heightened risk of heart disease, often due to the long-term effects of cancer and its treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Researchers studied nearly 2,500 post-menopausal women aged 63 to 99, drawing data from two earlier studies on physical activity and sedentary behavior. Each participant wore a hip-mounted motion tracker for over 10 hours a day across one week.

Higher daily step counts and greater physical activity were linked to a progressively lower risk of death from all causes. The most significant benefits were observed in women who walked 5,000 to 6,000 steps per day, reducing their risk of death from any cause by 40%. Women who exercised at least an hour per day saw the greatest reduction in risk — 40% lower for all-cause mortality and 60% lower for heart-related deaths. Risk reductions were even evident when participants walked fewer than 5,000 steps per day, half of the often touted 10,000-step-per-day threshold. 

He emphasized that daily step counts are a simple and accessible measure for most people, regardless of the intensity of the activity, especially with wearable devices like smartwatches gaining popularity. On the flip side, the study also found that every additional 102 minutes spent sitting daily was associated with a 12% higher risk of all-cause death and a 30% higher risk of heart-related death.

“Many adults now spend the majority of their day sitting, not engaged in physical activity, and for cancer survivors, this issue is likely even more pronounced due to the physical toll of cancer treatment and recovery,” said AHA spokesman Keith Diaz, an associate professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. He added that these findings add to the growing body of evidence that prolonged sitting is a significant health risk — one that we must actively combat, particularly after a cancer diagnosis. 

<h2>Walking Matters </h2>He emphasized that the study sheds new light on how cancer survivors can better manage their health and longevity. "While structured exercise remains the most efficient and effective way to improve your health, these findings highlight that walking — at any intensity — matters," he said. "The road to an active lifestyle is more accessible than we often assume, and the benefits are available to everyone, including people navigating life after cancer."

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Exercise And Longevity

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Female cancer survivors who engage in regular walking and physical activity face a significantly lower risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new study. Findings presented at an American Heart Association (AHA) meeting in New Orleans suggest that one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day reduces the overall risk of death by 40% and the risk of dying from heart disease by 60%.Similarly, researchers found that adding just 2,500 extra steps daily was linked to a 34% drop in the risk of heart disease-related death. "Encouraging cancer survivors to be more active, sit less and take more steps every day could be a feasible approach for prolonging survivorship and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality," said lead investigator Eric Hyde, a research analyst at the University of California-San Diego, in a news release.Physical activity is a cornerstone of Life’s Essential 8 — the AHA's key health behaviors and factors supporting optimal heart health. The association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, such as walking or gardening, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, such as running or swimming, each week. A mix of both is also beneficial.The AHA noted that cancer survivors face a heightened risk of heart disease, often due to the long-term effects of cancer and its treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.Researchers studied nearly 2,500 post-menopausal women aged 63 to 99, drawing data from two earlier studies on physical activity and sedentary behavior. Each participant wore a hip-mounted motion tracker for over 10 hours a day across one week.What Did The Results Show?Higher daily step counts and greater physical activity were linked to a progressively lower risk of death from all causes. The most significant benefits were observed in women who walked 5,000 to 6,000 steps per day, reducing their risk of death from any cause by 40%. Women who exercised at least an hour per day saw the greatest reduction in risk — 40% lower for all-cause mortality and 60% lower for heart-related deaths. Risk reductions were even evident when participants walked fewer than 5,000 steps per day, half of the often touted 10,000-step-per-day threshold. He emphasized that daily step counts are a simple and accessible measure for most people, regardless of the intensity of the activity, especially with wearable devices like smartwatches gaining popularity. On the flip side, the study also found that every additional 102 minutes spent sitting daily was associated with a 12% higher risk of all-cause death and a 30% higher risk of heart-related death.“Many adults now spend the majority of their day sitting, not engaged in physical activity, and for cancer survivors, this issue is likely even more pronounced due to the physical toll of cancer treatment and recovery,” said AHA spokesman Keith Diaz, an associate professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. He added that these findings add to the growing body of evidence that prolonged sitting is a significant health risk — one that we must actively combat, particularly after a cancer diagnosis. Walking Matters He emphasized that the study sheds new light on how cancer survivors can better manage their health and longevity. "While structured exercise remains the most efficient and effective way to improve your health, these findings highlight that walking — at any intensity — matters," he said. "The road to an active lifestyle is more accessible than we often assume, and the benefits are available to everyone, including people navigating life after cancer."