Study Finds 2 Weekly Hours of Strength Training Cut Women's Heart Attack Risk 44%
Updated
Updated · Medical News Today · Jun 27
Study Finds 2 Weekly Hours of Strength Training Cut Women's Heart Attack Risk 44%
3 articles · Updated · Medical News Today · Jun 27
Summary
More than 117,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and NHS II who did at least two hours of weekly strength training had a 44% lower heart attack risk and a 20% lower major cardiovascular disease risk.
Each extra hour of resistance training was tied to a 14% drop in heart attack risk and a 5% decline in major cardiovascular disease risk, suggesting a dose-response benefit.
Women who paired two or more hours of strength training with 150 minutes of aerobic exercise had a 45% lower heart attack risk than sedentary women, with the lowest risks seen among those also limiting TV time to under two hours.
The JACC study adds women-specific evidence in a field where female patients have long been underrepresented, as heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women worldwide.
Strength training lowers heart attack risk, but could it actually be dangerous for some people?
Is a 15-minute home workout enough to protect your heart, or is a gym membership essential?
What hidden barriers keep women from life-saving strength training?
Landmark 2026 Study: Strength Training Cuts Women's Heart Disease Risk by Up to 17%
Overview
A landmark study published in June 2026 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology revealed that regular strength training is especially important for women’s heart health. As women age, they naturally lose muscle mass, which can harm metabolic function and increase heart disease risk. The study found that strength training helps prevent this muscle loss, offering stronger protection against heart disease. When combined with aerobic activity, the benefits are even greater. These findings mark a major shift in how cardiovascular prevention for women is understood, highlighting the need for targeted, integrated exercise strategies.