And our rates of death from heart disease are among the highest in the world. But perhaps the saddest thing of all is that it can kill people before their time - and that many deaths from heart disease could be prevented. There is action you can take to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Everyone can benefit from exercise. Whatever your age and no matter how unfit you feel at the moment.
Regular exercise is essential for a healthy heart - and a great way to keep in shape.
If you're not keen on sport or team games, there are plenty of other ways to get fit. Try brisk walking, running, cycling, dancing, swimming - or any activity that makes you slightly breathless. To stay fit, you'll need to exercise for about 30 minutes per day - and keep it up every week. Your heart is the muscle that pumps vital supplies of oxygen-rich blood around your body. Regular exercise makes your heart grow stronger, so that it can pump more blood with each beat.