Why Do Women Benefit More from Exercise for Their Heart Than Men

Exercise plays a key role in heart health, but its effects are not the same for women and men. Recent research shows that women gain greater cardiovascular benefits and a more significant reduction in mortality than men, even with a lower volume of physical activity. For example, a study of more than 400,000 American adults reveals that regular physical activity reduces the risk of all-cause death by 24% in women, compared to 15% in men. For cardiovascular mortality, the reduction reaches 36% in women compared to just 14% in men. Women achieve their maximum benefit with 140 minutes of moderate to intense activity per week, while men need to do 300 minutes to achieve the same result.

These differences are partly explained by biological and hormonal factors. Before menopause, estrogen protects blood vessels by improving their flexibility and reducing inflammation. After menopause, this protection decreases, increasing cardiovascular risk. Women also have a better ability to extract oxygen from tissues during exercise, whereas men rely more on their cardiac output and muscle mass.

Women generally develop heart disease later than men, but their risk accelerates after menopause. Their atheroma plaques, which are responsible for heart attacks, are often less unstable than those in men, which may explain less typical symptoms and later diagnoses. However, cardiac rehabilitation programs, which are highly effective in reducing risks and improving quality of life, are less frequently offered to women. They also participate less due to barriers such as lack of time, family responsibilities, or lack of information.

Women also benefit more from activities like strength training, which reduces their mortality more than it does for men. Despite these advantages, they remain underrepresented in studies and prevention programs. Tailoring exercise recommendations to their specific needs and facilitating their access to rehabilitation could significantly improve their cardiovascular health.

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About This Study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-026-02361-9

Title: Sex Differences in the Impact of Physical Activity Across the Spectrum of Cardiovascular Disease

Journal: Current Cardiology Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Yamini Levitzky; Karina Gonzalez Carta; Lavanya Kondapalli; Elijah Davis; Sharon Andrade-Bucknor