Exercise Twice a Week Enough To Avoid Heart Disease.

Middle-aged women who work up a sweat a couple of times a week will find they are doing enough to protect their health  because working out more has little added benefit.

Researchers found that the physically active had lower risk of heart disease, stroke and blood clots than women who refrained from any exercise.

But more frequent physical activity did not result in further cuts in risk, said findings in the journal Circulation.

The study showed women who performed strenuous physical activity  enough to cause sweating or a faster heartbeat  every three or four days were about 20 per cent less likely to develop health complications.

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Exercise associated with reduced risk included walking, gardening, and cycling.

Inactive middle-aged women should try to do some activity regularly.

“However, to prevent heart disease, stroke and blood clots, women don’t need to do very frequent activity as this seems to provide little additional benefit.”