High blood pressure increases the heart's workload, causing the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times. Cholesterol levels are also affected by age, sex, heredity and diet. Even modest levels of low-intensity physical activity are beneficial if done regularly over the long term.
Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.
Diabetes seriously increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, heart attacks and stroke. More than 80 per cent of people with diabetes die of some form of cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes may avoid or delay heart and blood vessel disease by controlling other risk factors. It's also important to lower high blood pressure and avoid smoking. People who are more than 30 per cent over their ideal body weight are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, even if they have no other risk factors.