Being a couch potato doesn't just increase your chances of gaining weight. It's also a major risk factor for heart disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people than in those who are more active. And the activity doesn't have to be Olympic in nature.
Studies show that even mild to moderate exercise can help.
Examples include brisk walking jogging cycling swimming aerobics classes AMA says moderate-intensity activities such as gardening, dancing, or walking a dog are also useful to health, even if their intensity doesn't classify them as aerobic. Before starting an exercise program, it's best to check with your doctor, especially if you have a family or personal history of heart disease. But that doesn't mean that people who've had heart problems can't benefit from exercise. For one thing, physical activity of the right intensity, frequency and duration can increase the fitness of your heart and lungs. The AMA says exercise also works by helping reduce other risk factors for heart disease.