Risk factors are habits or traits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. Some risk factors for heart-related problems cannot be changed, but many others can be. The major risk factors for cardiovascular disease that you can do something about are cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, being overweight and physical inactivity. Other risk factors, such as diabetes, also are conditions over which you have some control. Even just one risk factor will raise your chances of having heart-related problems.
Physical inactivity increases the risk of heart disease.
It both contributes directly to heart-related problems and increases the chances of developing other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Fortunately, it doesn't take a lot of effort to become physically active. The Surgeon General's report and other research conclude that as little as 30 minutes of moderate activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week help protect heart health. Examples of moderate activity are brisk walking or bicycling, raking leaves, or gardening. If you prefer, you can divide the 30-minute activity into shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each.